UN 122: Six winning moves for 2026 Commonwealth Games transport

On Tuesday it was announced Victoria will be hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The event will bring competitors, organisers and spectators to Melbourne and Victoria. To be held 20 years after our last hosting, we now have four years to prepare. 

The most successful cities use major events to build improvements that improve peoples lives long after the closing ceremony. Nowhere is this more obvious than in transport and housing. Yes, many of the improvements should have happened even if we didn't have major events. However there is nothing like an occasion with a deadline and international attention to create an urgency and enable funding that might not otherwise occur. 

It may or may not have been a coincidence, but our 2006 experience was instructive. In 2005 Melbourne had a ramshackle bus network that hardly ran weekends or after 7pm. It was badly wounded by big cuts under Cain/Kirner and left to atrophy under Kennett. The first five years of Bracks saw only a minor revival with outer suburbs getting some small improvements in 2002.  

To their credit those organising March 2006's Games knew that our existing public transport only worked for daytime CBD workers, shoppers and schoolchildren. With many events operating at nights and weekends much better was needed. So they boosted evening trains to run every 20 minutes and added night service to many bus routes. For at least a little while Melbourne had half-decent transport services. 

Two months after 2006's Melbourne Games came the Bracks government's Meeting our Transport Challenges. Not everything in it happened. But it did usher in four years of rising bus service levels including new SmartBus routes and numerous local buses upgraded to run at least hourly until 9pm seven days per week. While still not a particularly attractive frequency it transformed enough peoples' lives to greatly boost bus usage. 

Unfortunately for it, the (by then) Brumby government got little political credit as the bus upgrades were overshadowed by rail network failures for reasons discussed here. Much later some train lines got 20 minute evening frequencies, partly reversing large cuts made in 1978 (that we've never fully recovered from).

I have no way of telling but it is possible that the 2006 Games' success and the experience with evening buses might have encouraged some service upgrades to be made permanent. Will 2026's games leave a similar legacy?

A regional games

A major difference in 2026 will be that events will be held outside Melbourne at four hubs - Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland. The four games villages built will be repurposed for social and affordable housing after the event. This makes proximity to good transport important both short and long term. In addition some events will be held at Shepparton. 

Notwithstanding the regional focus there will also be increased activity in Melbourne, especially the CBD area. That's not just because the opening ceremony will be held at the MCG. The CBD will be a useful accommodation base for those visiting multiple events. As well conference organisers may take advantage of the games period to schedule their events here (again likely in the CBD area). 

Melbourne CBD and suburban interchanges such as Deer Park, Sunshine and Footscray will also function as transport hubs, not least because of the network's centralised focus with limited cross-country transport options. Similar comments may also apply for access from Melbourne Airport. 

2006 Games venues had no spectator parking, with high reliance on public transport (which proved successful). This approach is a major way for events to demonstrate their 'green credentials'. If this is to happen at 2026's regional venues, currently with less public transport access, significant thought will need to be given to providing quality options to enable this. 

Transport in 2026

What transport projects currently under construction will be open in 2026? Metro Tunnel certainly will be. This will improve inner area connectivity. We'll also have more grade separations done in Melbourne suburbs. 

Melbourne Airport rail though won't be done. Hence we'll be relying on buses and coaches for public transport from Tullamarine for the Games. Avalon will want to to attract its share of Games traffic, especially for those going to Geelong.  Avalon has proposed improved connectivity to the Geelong line via a new station. That could happen by 2026 if approvals and financing is sorted quickly. 

Very important, given the dispersed nature of events, will be projects under the Regional Rail Revival umbrella. And others. Because if they get a wriggle on now there's a chance that other small and medium sized regional rail benefiting infrastructure projects could be brought forward to be finished by the Games' start. 

The six moves

We know which sports will be played in which cities. Or at least for Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. It's less clear where in Gippsland. This is a large region including the La Trobe Valley which itself contains several substantial towns, most of which are strung along the Bairnsdale line. Some venues will be near a railway but for others 'last mile' connectivity will be key. 

Here's six moves, to benefit transport across the state, that could be key to making this aspect of the 2026 Commonwealth Games a success.

Move 1: Strengthen Melbourne - regional Victoria links 

This is basically about the V/Line rail network, most notably lines to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and to a lesser extent Shepparton. Services need to be faster, more frequent and more reliable. Infrastructure, rolling stock and operational constraints such as sharing with metropolitan services, single line sections and not enough trains need to be overcome to deliver the service quality required. 

More immediately timetables need to be simplified and the existing fleet worked harder to deliver higher frequencies all week, not just on weekdays. This is best done progressively in the next year or two so that any hitches can be ironed out well before the games. 

Network-strengthening initiatives include: 

- Higher train frequencies on existing lines all day / all week to reduce waiting times. Ideally every 20 min or better. As a first step weekend daytime frequencies should be upgraded to what applies during the week. This would assist much non-games travel, particularly from suburban stations on the Ballarat and Geelong lines. Work is currently under way to improve Shepparton services. Thought should also be given on how best to serve regional spectators coming from centres like as Warrnambool, Horsham, Ararat, Mildura and Wodonga to make these truly a state-wide games. The often forgotten Overland from Adelaide may also have a role but needs improved frequency. 

- Faster speeds. This can make rail travel competitive with driving including on trips that involve a change (see later). Some improvements may be possible through a tiered type service model that separates Wyndham Vale/Tarneit passengers from Geelong services and Melton/Caroline Springs from Ballarat services. Timetables could be more consistent with carefully timed expressing and fewer unique stopping patterns that just confuse people. 

- Internal change to deliver better performance from V/Line. V/Line has been dogged by scandal including a revolving door of CEOs who have departed under probity clouds. The regional rail operator has been the subject of two recent IBAC investigations (Operations Lansdown & Esperance).  And it has frequently missed performance targets (including in ten of the last twelve months). This is despite having looser service delivery targets than either Metro Trains or Yarra Trams. There is no room for leniency here; V/Line needs world-standard performance to play its part in hosting a world-standard games. 

- Targeted infrastructure upgrades to supported a desired improved capacity, speed, frequency and reliability. Some relief and better connections could be enabled by extending the electrified Werribee line to Wyndham Vale with a connectivity improvement for Geelong (a key Games venue). Duplicating the Bendigo line could assist service on that corridor. Possibly the most difficult to speed up is the Gippsland line due to its long overlap with suburban trains to Pakenham (and eventually Pakenham East). However a solution is needed as current V/Line rail frequencies and speeds are don't compare well with (say) a direct drive from Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs to Games venues. 

- Potential supporting V/Line coach service upgrades to support increased tourism in areas such as the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island and Daylesford. The adequacy of bus services on the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas might also need to be looked at. Bicycle-linked regional tourism is not something that V/Line has encouraged but perhaps should as a means of extending its coverage and usefulness. 

Other ideas, concentrating on rail projects, are in this very good Twitter thread. 

Move 2: Better inter-regional links

Just like public transport investment and service provision in metropolitan Melbourne has suffered from a heavy emphasis on getting people to and from the CBD rather than between suburbs, the same holds true for the entire state. We have no V/Line train service that does not at some point run to the CBD. Travel between regional centres not on a radial train line is restricted to coaches and these are often infrequent. With a regionally-based multi-centric Games the transport network will need to be much more than this for it to be useful.  

Geelong - Ballarat

If you're driving from Geelong to Ballarat you don't go via Melbourne. But if you're taking public transport you might need to. That can waste kilometres and extend travel time, especially if services aren't particularly fast or frequent to start off with. There is a faster coach but due to its low frequency (three times on weekdays and not on weekends) you have to be lucky for it to suit your travel plans. Direct rail exists between the two centres but is not in regular passenger use. See the case study below for a comparison between transport options and possible improvements (click for a clearer view). 

Gippsland

Let's go to the other end of the state. It's very differently placed with regards to cross-regional transport. Unlike in western and northern Victoria, both geometry and topography mean that there is no reasonable connectivity to the other Games hubs except via Melbourne. Its main issue is travel speed with Gippsland trains being held up by the frequent suburban services with which they share tracks. There may be some things that could be done but dedicated tracks would be the gold-standard solution for fast and frequent service.  

Bendigo - Ballarat

These are north-north-west and north-west of Melbourne respectively. Their rails into Melbourne form an acute angle. In conjunction with operational practices (which do not stop Bendigo trains at Sunshine) this geometry means a lot of backtracking and often waiting (map below). 

Direct coaches can be faster but are infrequent. Travel times vary depending on route. For example the example above does Bendigo - Ballarat in under two hours. In contrast the once-daily coach that runs through to Geelong takes a little over three hours. Departures before 6am and three hour coach trips are not the sort of thing that is likely to entice day trips from anyone but the most enthusiastic visitors.  

What about rail options for these cross-country trips? There has been interest in running direct cross-trains from Geelong to Ballarat via the existing line. A sub 1 hour travel time would be ideal and allow (say) an hourly frequency with two trains. If you are going to run circumferential trains between two large regional cities, then the Geelong - Ballarat pair would be the front-runner.  

Ballarat - Bendigo rail is a weaker prospect with a lower combined population, longer distance and less directness (if going via Maryborough). Still concepts like these have got as far as Spring Street. For example a government investigation ten years ago under premier Baillieu following advocacy by the Rail Revival Alliance. Neither party has progressed it since and the report has gathered dust. Not even cheap to run coaches have seen significant service improvements.

To summarise, cross-regional travel between Victoria's largest regional centres has received little practical attention. Except possibly for Geelong - Ballarat, the best prospect for direct improvements is likely through upgraded (potentially express) coaches. However indirect improvements with wider benefits should be possible with rail infrastructure, speed, frequency and connectivity upgrades on existing lines. Ideas here: 

- Much higher 7 day frequency and profile for existing orbital coach services. These might even directly serve Games venues to reduce interchanging. Coach service upgrades to consider include Geelong - Ballarat, Ballarat - Bendigo and Bendigo - Shepparton. Castlemaine - Ballarat via Daylesford might be a possibility if it times well with trains to and from Bendigo. The Moe - Traralgon Route 1 bus parallels the radial railway but serves several intermediate destinations so might also need boosting with regards to frequency and operating hours. 

- Better interchanges and consistent stopping patterns that allow connections without backtracking. Sunshine will be the most important hub with it being a potential union between Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo lines. Other interchanges such as Deer Park and Caulfield could assume a stronger network role to relieve stress on Sunshine and Southern Cross Station respectively.

- Improved radial V/Line links as per Move 1 above. Where possible timetables should consider key connections between regional lines likely to have high transfer volumes. Faster and more frequent trains to destinations like Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo could slash rail travel times as shown in the example below.   

Move 3: Stronger Airport connections

Airport rail won't yet be running so there'll need to be some quality bus-based options for the Games. Direct coaches from Tullamarine to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo could work but they involve a lot of service kilometres to provide more than an occasional service. The most cost-effective airport connections likely involve fast shuttle buses to upgraded rail hubs serving Games destinations. For example:  

- Fast and frequent limited stop bus from Sunshine to Tullamarine. This can deliver large travel time savings over a wide area including parts of regional Victoria especially if introduced in conjunction with upgraded rail services serving a Sunshine 'superhub'. Main regional destinations to benefit include Geelong and Ballarat with Bendigo a possibility if its trains stopped at Sunshine. Sunshine will even be relatively accessible from Gippsland via a change to Metro Tunnel trains at Caulfield. To maximise benefits Sunshine should get all day / all week Metro Tunnel trains at least every 10 minutes to Caufield rather than suffer from having half the trains stopping short as mooted. 

- Avalon airport connectivity. No doubt this airport will seek to capitalise on the games, especially for Geelong based events where it is much closer than Tullamarine. Existing shuttle buses run but they are expensive and low frequency. The most cost-effective means of improving connectivity is a short link to Lara on the Geelong line. However as for previous moves this will need reliability and frequency upgrades on the V/Line rail network for it to be fully effective. Top priority (to happen almost immediately) should be an upgrade of Geelong weekend trains from every 40 to every 20 minutes. 

Move 4: Good local and 'last mile' connectivity 

Some venues may be near stations but not all will. Mars Stadium in Ballarat has a railway passing but no station. People may be willing to walk (say) 15 minutes but beyond that thought needs to be given to connections. As well as visitors coming off the train other travel needs include travel between the Games Village and the event site and spectators (who may be locals or visitors staying in the area). 

The best solutions will be site dependent but could include expanded bicycle and walking paths, service upgrades on existing bus routes or dedicated Games shuttles if there are no suitable regular services. A structural issue with most regional city bus services is their early evening finish time and limited weekend frequency. This may need upgrading during and (preferably) permanently after the Games. A precedent is White Night in Ballarat which saw extended hours bus services. 

Move 5: Major public and active transport network accessibility upgrades

A large component of Commonwealth (and Olympic) events is a 'para' component. As well as being discriminatory it would be highly embarrassing for a state hosting such events not to have accessible transport.

Accessibility challenges exist on all public transport modes but there is a particularly large backlog with our trams. We really need to accelerate stop upgrades and the roll-out of accessible trams. Such improvements would have many wider and lasting community benefits after the games.  More on tram accessibility in the context of a recent critical auditor-general's report here.  

Often ignored but no less necessary is on-street accessibility. It is no good having low floor trams, buses with accessible stops if you can't quickly, easily and safely reach your destination due to traffic volumes, the lack of pedestrian crossings, bad kerbing or no footpaths. A walkability audit followed by a program of perhaps 1000 small works in hosting centres would be highly desirable to ensure access is up to scratch. The same applies for short 'missing links' on the cycling network. Again this will catch up on a backlog and deliver lasting post-Games benefits. 

The Disability Resource Centre is currently campaigning for accessible transport ahead of this year's state election.

Move 6: Melbourne metropolitan service uplift

While most Games events will be in regional Victoria, there will still be a significant increase of visitor activity in Melbourne. This activity is likely to be both during and after regular business hours including weekends. Transport needs to suit the city we want to be and present to the world.

This includes no more 30 minute waits for trains and trams at night or the risk of getting trapped in the confusing vortex that is the midday reversing City Loop. Buses also need simpler, more direct and more frequent routes. This includes in the suburbs where limited bus services are restricting community sport participation. The latter is important if 2026 will be truly a 'peoples games'.  

Priorities for upgrades could include: 

- Greenfield Metro train timetables. To deliver consistent 7 day City Loop service, fewer stopping patterns, 20 min maximum waits and widespread 10 minute daytime frequencies. As much as possible to be done in 2023 - 2024 with the final stages to coincide with Metro Tunnel's opening (projected 2025). 

- Tram network and timetable revamp. Including maximum 10 minute waits on as many routes as possible for as much of the day as possible. Waits never more than 20 min on Sunday mornings and evenings. All routes go the same way 7 days. Subsequent reforms in conjunction with accessibility upgrades and Metro Tunnel commencement (most notably straighter routes, better western CBD / Southern Cross connectivity and fewer but individually more frequent routes on Swanston St). 

- Bus network reform for simpler more direct, faster and more frequent routes. Notably routes that would feed the Metro Tunnel, establish travel patterns for Melbourne Airport rail and deliver Suburban Rail Loop SmartBus. By the time the 2026 Games roll around it will have been over 15 years since Melbourne last added a SmartBus. However careful reform could deliver at least 10 new cost-effective SmartBus corridors for Melbourne between now and then. 

- Local suburban bus upgrades. Including route, operating hours and frequency upgrades that could assist travel for local sports participation (and many other purposes). Because community sports typically happens after school/work and on weekends a completion of minimum service standards (ie 7 day buses until at least 9pm) would be both desirable and economical without new bus purchases required. These upgrades should be skewed to outer areas with (i) low and middle income families currently feeling the pinch due to high petrol prices (eg outer west, north and south-east) and (ii) established area low income middle aged and senior people that often get passed over for bus service improvements (eg Glenroy, Thomastown, Mornington Peninsula). 

Conclusion

The 2026 Commonwealth Games could provide an impetus for improved public transport in Victoria. Not just for its own sake but for an enduring community benefits. I've outlined six major moves that could together transform how we get around. It is not exhaustive and there are likely to be further opportunities from rail infrastructure to ferries to regional tourist trams not covered here. 

Comments on these and other possibilities are welcome and can be left below. 

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