Tara Murray
Bus and train service upgrades are needed in Sunshine, according to a new report by the Victorian Transport Action Group.
The group last week released the “Service Step-ups for Sunshine” report which says that Sunshine needs to be accessible by all transport modes for it to reach its full potential as a National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC).
The report showed that typical train frequencies outside of peak hour for Sunshine were significantly longer than trains on the Box Hill, Dandenong, Frankston and Werribee lines.
“Access needs to be good to all parts of the Sunshine NEIC, not just the portion near the station,” the report said.
“Sunshine CBD has infrastructure advantages due to its junction location on the rail network.
“However it also has service disadvantages due to it receiving the least Metro rail service relative to the patronage of its station.”
The report calls for a maximum of 20 minute wait on the Sunbury line, which services Sunshine, with train services every 10 minutes, during peak and off-peak weekday and weekend daytime services.
The report also highlights that bus frequency typically falls short of the “turn-up-and-go” standards that a major centre needs.
It said there were a number of difficulties encountered for short trips within the Sunshine NEIC area and particularly low service levels on some feeder routes, including those passing Sunshine Hospital.
Among the suggestions were a Sunshine to Melbourne Airport shuttle run operating every 15-20 minutes, seven days a week, a Sunshine to Highpoint route, a Ballarat Road mega bus which would run like a tram service, and a number of other local bus service upgrades.
“These are all modest cost upgrades which can be implemented independently of waiting for the Metro Rail Tunnel and Airport Rail Link opening,” the report said.
“Some mainly utilise existing bus resources but make better use of them and provide more direct connections to key destinations.”
