TT 236: Bus Route 536 Glenroy - Gowrie first day of Sunday service

One of the many Melbourne bus routes that have been without Sunday service is the 536 between Glenroy and Gowrie. Linking the Craigieburn and Upfield lines it provides the only public transport for a large section of northern Glenroy that was once known as Gowrie Park. 

The area has social and public housing with significant numbers of people on low incomes. Route 536 has above average passenger boardings per hour. Similar to Route 800 it was a privately operated route whose services were greatly reduced in the early 1990s. These reductions included a removal of Sunday and/or after 7pm service on many bus routes.  

More information about the 536 bus here.

Many bus routes got extended operating hours during the MOTC bus upgrade program of 2006 but a significant number, including some popular routes, did not. Notable examples include the Route 800 in Dandenong and the 536 in Glenroy. 

Both routes had community campaigns advocating 7 day service. Route 800 was upgraded in 2024 with a strong increase in usage. Sunday 26 July 2026 was Route 536's turn. The new timetable features: 

* Extended operating hours including earlier morning starts, and evenings extended to about 11pm Monday to Saturday. 
* A new Sunday service with buses every 40 minutes to approximately 10pm. 
* A simplification of the route with the alternating Bourchier/Evell St part of the route standardised so that all trips operate via Evell St. 

There was also a change in the weekday midday frequency. Instead of a flat 30 minutes it went to an alternating 25/35 min pattern, presumably to optimise connections with trains every 20 minutes. The ideal of course would be a 20 min frequency, such as ran up to the early 1990s, to harmonise with trains (also every 20 minutes). 

The video below was from the first day of Sunday service on the 536. You'll see what's along the route and hear an interview with Kathleen Matthews-Ward MP on the difference the upgraded service will make and what's in store.

26/7/2026 was significant for other bus upgrades too. For example Route 511, an occasional service to the growth area of Beveridge, got service increased to every 40 minutes seven days.

Also introduced were two new routes - 405 between Brimbank Shopping Centre, Cairnlea and Deer Park and 451 between Cobblebank and Thornhill Park. Both are every 20 min on weekdays so now appear on my updated weekday public transport frequency map.

As well all buses were accepting credit/debit card payment, completing the metropolitan roll-out across train, tram and bus. This will make travel easier for non-regular passengers, including those who wish to go from Melbourne Airport to the city for under $3. 

See other Timetable Tuesday items here

Contactless Tap and Go across all buses starts today (with big benefits for airport travellers)

As noted last week, today marks the day that all bus routes in Melbourne will be accepting credit and debit card full fare payment. This adds buses to trains and trams that have already been transitioned over. 

The benefits for buses are particularly high. Myki worked well for regular train commuters. Every Metro station had a card vending and top up machine. Regular commuting was a frequent and habitual activity and the one-off $6 Myki card purchase cost was neither here nor there. 

Buses though were different. They attract a different mix of trips, including those that are not frequently made. People wishing to travel might not have a Myki card, and even if they did the ability to top up on a bus was removed during the pandemic and not reinstated since. So bus fare evasion went through the roof and the government appeared to both deny and do nothing about the problem. All while depressing bus usage amongst honest but occasional travellers who did not have a Myki. Trams had similar issues though they serve inner suburbs more likely to have a train station or Myki retail outlet nearby. 

All that is now a thing of the past with passengers how having a credit and debit card payment option for full fare passengers. Concession travel capability will happen later but even now they have the benefit of a payment option (even if full fare) if they leave their Myki at home. 

Getting to and especially from Melbourne Airport will be a major benefit of enabling contactless payment on buses. While the half price fares remain (for rest of 2026) it will be possible to get to the city for under $3 via a regular bus and train combination. It's slower than Skybus but the $23 saving might still make it an attractive option for some.

It's not very well marketed and the bus leaves from an interchange arriving passengers won't see unless they know where to go. This is why I was pleased to talk to the ABC's Charlie Pickering during the week to tell listeners about this cut price option that credit/debit card payment will make easier to use. 

For more detail, including where to find the interchange at Melbourne Airport, watch this one. 

Melbourne Airport to City for under $3!

Get from Melbourne Airport to the city for just $3 via a 15 minute bus ride that not even many locals know about! 

With tap and go credit/debit card payment enabled from today this bus-train option is easier than ever - no myki card required. 

Learn more in this interview with Charlie Pickering on ABC Radio.

Detail on the actual trip and finding the bus interchange here.