Hannah Hammoud
A faster, fairer and better-connected bus network is needed for Melbourne, especially in under-serviced outer growth areas, according to new research from the state’s independent infrastructure adviser.
Infrastructure Victoria acting chief executive Dr Allison Stewart said for those who don’t live in areas near train and tram corridors, most Melburnians must rely on a ‘slow and patchy’ bus network.
“Average wait times for buses are about 40 minutes during a typical weekday and 50 minutes on Sundays,” Dr Stewart said.
When it comes to suburbs that are underserved by the current bus network, Melbourne’s west is a constant front-runner.
The report from Infrastructure Victoria titled, ‘Fast, frequent, fair: how buses can better connect Melbourne’, details how reforms to Melbourne’s bus network would significantly improve access to jobs and recreation for thousands of people.
The report lists 10 recommendations for improvements, including increasing the frequency of bus services, beginning with outer and growth area suburbs as well as optimising the bus network through fast and direct routes.
The recommendations echo similar requests from Friends of the Earth Melbourne, long-time campaigners for better buses in the west.
Friends of the Earth Melbourne said reforms would especially serve those in ’chronically underserved’ outer suburbs, and those in newly built estates who currently have minimal to no access to public transport.
“This research shows that if there’s a better bus system, Melbournians will use it. But more importantly, that fast growing outer suburbs like those in the west are desperately under-served and need better buses now,” said Friends of the Earth’s campaigns coordinator and better buses spokesperson Chloe Aldenhoven.
“Many households in Melbourne’s west have to spend thousands on multiple cars or taxis and Ubers, or otherwise just get stuck at home. It’s a cost of living issue, it’s a social isolation issue, it’s an equity issue.”
Friends of the Earth are once again calling for a pilot bus reform to be introduced in the west by reforming the routes under the bus operator CDC’s contract that covers much of the west.
“Minister Ben Carroll sat on Victoria’s Bus Plan for years while in the public transport portfolio. Premier Allan presided over big public transport projects proposed for the west like airport rail falling by the wayside. The west is getting increasingly isolated, and desperate. We need Victorian Labor’s leadership team to take this report seriously, and to start by implementing fast, frequent and direct bus services across Melbourne’s western suburbs,” Ms Aldenhoven said.
“The Allan government say they want better buses, the community are calling for it, the business community is calling for it, it’s the advice they are getting from Infrastructure Victoria, but we are still not seeing action.”
A state government spokesperson said the state government ‘welcomes’ the research conducted by Infrastructure Victoria.
“We know buses play a significant role in our public transport network – particularly across the suburbs, which is why we’re focused on reforming the bus network across the state,” the spokesperson said.
“Through a range of initiatives including improving existing routes, adding new bus routes and supporting a transition to zero-emissions buses, we are making sure buses play a stronger role in a transport network critical to growing a more liveable and more connected Victoria.“
