UN 186: Top PT issues for each local government area

As I mentioned last week, local government elections are coming up. 

Local councils can't fix PT but they can advocate for improvements to infrastructure and services. And where they control roads and parking they can improve the operating environment for buses and their passengers.  

Here's a quick whip around all Melbourne's local government areas and what I see as the top few big PT issues for each one. This could be handy for council candidates wishing to make transport advocacy part of their campaign. 

Banyule 

* Cutting train waits: Trains to at least Greensborough boosted to operate every 10 minutes 7 days in a staged upgrade starting with cutting 30 and 40 minute gaps to 20 minutes. 

* SRL North SmartBus: Swap bus routes 901 and 902 at Broadmeadows so Route 902 operates from Melbourne Airport across the northern suburbs as a  Suburban Rail Loop precursor service to at least Doncaster. Improve weekend frequency to 20 min and extend operating hours (notably Sunday evenings). 

* Simpler buses: Split the very complex Route 566 at Greensborough into two simpler routes (565 and 566) and upgrade frequency from 22-25 min to 20 min to more consistently meet trains. 

* Murray Rd Megabus: a major east west bus route operating every 10-15 min or better 7 days between Heidelberg, Northland, Preston and Coburg incorporating resources from existing duplicative routes. Service to have long operating hours including Sunday evenings.

* Other bus upgrades: Simplify bus routes in area including reducing overlaps, improving connectivity with trains and boosting weekend frequencies (as promised in the DTP Northern area bus review). 

Bayside 

* Cutting train waits: Sandringham line frequency boosted to every 10 min 7 days starting with Sunday am service boosted from every 40 to every 20  min. 

* Frequent Bay Rd bus: Frequent 7 day bus from Sandringham to Southland via Bay Rd with longer operating long hours (potentially part of the extended 733 SRL SmartBus or a straightened Route 828). 

* Simpler buses: Bus network simplification including reform of complex 600/922/923 corridor and improved west-east connections. 

Boroondara

* Cutting train waits/simpler timetables: Trains to Ringwood boosted to operate every 10 minutes until midnight 7 days with a simplified greenfield timetable including fewer peak stopping patterns.

* Evening/Sunday tram boosts: Boost tram frequencies to operate every 15 min or better at night and on Sunday mornings. 

* North-south buses: Add two new or upgraded north-south 7 day bus routes (Chandler Hwy and Burke Rd) to connect the inner north with the inner east. Former could be Route 567 extended south to Glenferrie area, latter a merged 548 and 624. 

* Cross Gardiners Creek link: Route 734 extended to Caulfield Station to provide improved connectivity in the Ashburton area and between train lines.  

* Longer bus hours: 7 day upgrade to bus routes 284 and 285 and extend operating hours on Route 612. 

Brimbank

* Airport Connector: Frequent long hours limited stop bus route operating from Sunshine Station to Melbourne Airport (Route 500 concept). 

* New SmartBuses: Bus routes 418, 420 and 460 upgraded to SmartBus standard with frequent 7 day service until midnight.

* Longer hours buses: Improved operating hours and off-peak frequencies on other bus routes including 419, 423, 424, 428 (with 429 consolidation), and 471. 

* Triple service on Melton weekend trains: Boost Melton weekend trains from every 60 min to every 20 min with earlier weekend starts

Cardinia

* Princes Hwy bus boost: Major upgrade and straightening of bus route 926 to operate every 20 min or better 7 days with longer operating hours. 

* New station connection: Extend bus route 925 to Cardinia Rd station. 

* Local bus upgrades: Boost local bus routes from every 60 - 80 min to every 40 min off-peak. 

* New bus coverage and service: Bus network review in Pakenham with new coverage to growth areas, longer operating hours and higher frequencies. 

Casey

* Clyde rail: Extend Cranbourne line to Clyde with supporting reformed bus network. 

* Three new SmartBuses: (i) Frankston, Cranbourne and Fountain Gate (791, 841 merger), and (ii) Cranbourne to Berwick (new merged route) and (iii) Boosted Route 828. All with more frequent 7 day service and longer hours. 

* Route 861 extension: Extended from Endeavour Hills to Fountain Gate, incorporating part of 841. Would improve connection to Dandenong hospital and TAFE from area. 

* Simpler buses: Simplification of complex and indirect bus routes including 892 and 894 in Narre Warren South area, multiple overlapping routes on Clyde Rd and better connections to Dandenong South jobs. 

Darebin

* Cutting train waits: Mernda line boosted to operate every 10 minutes 7 days in a staged process starting with reducing 30 and 40 minute gaps to 20 minutes.

* Tram service upgrade: Boost tram frequencies to operate every 15 min or better at night and on Sunday mornings on key routes such as 11 and 86. 

* Murray Rd Megabus: a major east west bus route operating every 10-15 min or better 7 days between Heidelberg, Northland, Preston and Coburg incorporating resources from existing duplicative routes. Service to have long operating hours including Sunday evenings.

* Get buses connecting with trains: Improve train-bus connections at stations such as Reservoir by boosting bus frequencies from 22-25 min to every 20 min to mesh evenly with trains. Also simplify complex routes including an extension of Route 552 to Keon Park and 558 to Campbellfield Shopping Centre. 

Frankston

* 791 SmartBus to Cranbourne: Upgrade Route 791 with longer hours and higher frequency as a SmartBus to Cranbourne and potentially Fountain Gate. 

* Route 901 weekend upgrade: Boost SmartBus 901 weekend frequency between Ringwood and  Frankston to every 15 minutes and add Sunday evening service. 

* Weekend bus service boosts: Including (i) Upgrade the popular Routes 832 and 833 from 60 to 30 min on weekends and (ii) introduce 7 day service on routes without it, notably in the Frankston South area. 

* CBD through routes: Improve Frankston CBD area bus connectivity by reconfiguring some routes as through services operating from south to north rather than all terminating at station. Pay particular attention to access to Frankston Hospital and Monash's Peninsula campus. 

* Simpler buses: Simplify complex bus networks in Karingal (770/771) and Frankston South (772-776) with bidirectional routes rather than confusing loops. 

* Bring trains closer to people: Build a new northern entrance for Frankston station for improved connectivity to trains and intermodal interchanges. 

Glen Eira 

* New LaTrobe - Monash link: A new frequent 7 day north-south bus connection from Caulfield Station to La Trobe University by upgrading portion of Route 624 to every 15-20 min and merging with Route 548. 

* Frequent St Kilda bus link: A frequent 7 day bus between St Kilda, Caulfield Station, Neerim Rd and Chadstone incorporating a  modified Route 623 amalgamated with portions of the 624. As a shorter term step, boost weekend frequency on existing Route 623 to 30 min and lengthen hours. This initiative would replace the now deleted Route 3a tram.  

* Nepean Hwy connection: A new 7 day Nepean Hwy bus route between Southland and Elsternwick incorporating the existing limited service Route 823. 

* Gardiners Creek connection: Route 734 extended to Caulfield Station to provide improved connectivity in the Ashburton area and between train lines.  

* Bentleigh East connector: Simplify bus routes 627, 701, 767, 822 in Bentleigh East area to enable a direct and frequent route down East Boundary and Chesterville Rds operating every 20 min or better 7 days. 

* Caulfield transit hub: Rebuilding of Caulfield Station with additional entry points and connections between platforms to make it fit for purpose as a major transfer point between lines for Metro Tunnel trains and to trams and buses. 

Greater Dandenong

* All buses running 7 days: Upgrade all bus routes to operate 7 days including 802, 804, 814, 844, 857 and 885 with service until 9pm. Longer hours for Endeavour Hills routes. 

* 7 day frequent SmartBuses: Major weekend bus frequency upgrades for Routes 901 and 902 going to every 15 min and gaining Sunday evening service on busiest portions,

* New east-west SmartBus: Enabled by higher frequency and longer hours on Route 828, starting with boosting weekend service from every 40-60 min to every 20-30 min. 

* New north-south SmartBus: Boost Route 850 to Glen Waverley to SmartBus standard, with longer hours and higher frequency. Implemented in stages with first upgrade being weekends upgraded from every 60 to every 30 min. 

* Heatherton Rd bus boost: Portion of Route 811 between Springvale and Dandenong boosted from every 60 to every 20-30 min for improved connectivity to hospital and TAFE. 

* Route 861 extension: Extended to Narre Warren station via Fountain Gate to improve connections to Dandenong TAFE and hospital. 

* Fixing missing links: Examine scope to simplify local bus network with increased frequencies, more routes running through Dandenong CBD (rather than terminating) and better connections to jobs at Dandenong South. 

Hobsons Bay

* New Paisley station: Altona North Park & Ride replaced with new station with bus interchange at Paisley to connect Altona North with an upgraded Werribee line with trains every 10 min all day.

* Millers Rd SmartBus: Route 411 upgraded to SmartBus with long operating hours and 7 day frequent service, meeting trains at Footscray, Laverton and Paisley.   

* Fishermans Bend connection: Enabled by rerouting Route 232 to connect Fishermans Bend jobs from Newport station and complementary bus network reform in Altona North and Williamstown.  

* Simpler frequent 7 day buses: Other bus service upgrades including 7 day service for 414 and 415, upgraded. Route 472 Sunday frequency.  

Hume

* Cutting train waits: Craigieburn line boosted to operate every 10 minutes 7 days in a staged process starting with cutting 30 and 40 minute gaps to 20 minutes. This would bring Craigieburn line (which is busier than Frankston line) to equal service to it. 

* SRL North SmartBus: Swap bus routes 901 and 902 at Broadmeadows so Route 902 operates from Melbourne Airport across the northern suburbs as a  Suburban Rail Loop precursor service to at least Doncaster. Improve weekend frequency to 20 min and extend operating hours (notably Sunday evenings). 

* 7 day bus upgrades: Upgrade bus routes including 531, 536, 538 and all of 542 to operate 7 days until at least 9pm.

* Weekend bus frequency boosts: Boost Dallas, Meadow Heights and Craigieburn routes to operate every 20 minutes on weekends (matching weekday frequencies) with longer operating hours and improved coverage in growth areas. Highest priorities are 529, 533 and 541. These already operate every 20 min weekdays so this works the existing fleet harder. 

* New Coburg connector: Add a new bus connection to Coburg by extending Route 527 to Broadmeadows via Widford St. 

* New Campbellfield station with airport link: Construct new Upfield line station at Campbellfield with easy interchange to buses including 902 to Melbourne Airport (see above). Duplicate Upfield line and extend to Roxburgh Park to provide additional capacity from north.  

* Broadmeadows station upgrade: Upgrade Broadmeadows station to modern standards, noting its town centre and 'international gateway' status.  

Kingston

* More local SRL coverage: Suburban Rail Loop station near Warrigal Rd (for interchange with 903 orbital)

* SRL SmartBus: SRL precursor bus with long hours and frequent service (Route 733 extended south) 

* Warrigal Rd bus boost: Bus route 903 upgraded to every 15 min on weekends between at least Mentone and Doncaster, with new Sunday evening service. 

* Weekend bus upgrades: Weekend bus hours and frequency upgrades on key routes like 708 and 828. Aim for every 20-30 min as opposed to current 40 or 60 min services. 

* Nepean Hwy connection: A new 7 day Nepean Hwy bus route between Southland and Elsternwick incorporating the existing limited service Route 823. 

* Chesterville Rd jobs connector: Simplify bus routes 627, 701, 767, 822 in Bentleigh East area to enable a direct and frequent route down East Boundary and Chesterville Rds operating every 20 min or better 7 days. 

Knox

* Cutting train waits: Trains to Belgrave boosted to operate every 20 minutes or better until midnight 7 days with a simplified greenfield timetable including fewer peak stopping patterns.

* 900 SmartBus upgrades: Upgrade Route 900 SmartBus to operate every 10 min or better weekdays, 15 min or better weekends with new Sunday evening service. 

* Route 901 weekend upgrade: Boost SmartBus 901 weekend frequency between Ringwood and  Frankston to every 15 minutes and add Sunday evening service. 

* New Glen Waverley - Knox City SmartBus: Upgrade bus route 737 to operate as a frequent long hours SmartBus between Croydon, Boronia, Knox City, Glen Waverley, Monash Clayton and Westall station (extension). 

* Bus network revamp: Major bus network reform including replacement of FlexiRide with fixed routes, all routes boosted to run 7 days, a new 7 day Scoresby Rd bus route from Bayswater Station and new frequent connections to major stations such as Glen Waverley. 

Manningham

* Tram-like service for Doncaster Rd: Boost Route 907 on Doncaster Rd to run every 10 min 7 days per week and every 20 min or better during evenings. 

* Frequent orbital: Boost Route 903 to run every 15 min or better on weekends with new Sunday evening service added. Split orbital at Heidelberg to enable extension to La Trobe University. 

* Simpler Templestowe bus: Consolidate bus routes 281 and 293 to provide a simple 7 day corridor between Templestowe and Box Hill, operating every 15 min weekdays and 30 min weekends. 

* Straighter 279: Simplify the popular Route 279 to go one way for all trips, starting with removing the Blackburn deviation. 

* New Heidelberg link: Provide a new Pines - Templestowe - Heidelberg station route via Reynolds Rd as part of network simplification in the area involving splitting the poorly used 280/282 'Manningham Mover'. 

* Simpler buses: Simplify other bus routes with a view to improving frequencies and operating all services 7 days. 

Maribyrnong

* Footscray - Highpoint every 10  min: Simple frequent 7 day bus between Footscray and Highpoint running every 10 min or better (potentially consolidated Route 223 and 406)

* Ballarat Rd every 10 min: Upgraded Route 220 Megabus along Ballarat Rd, operating every 10 min or better 7 days. Potential to do in combination with reform to route 410. 

* Weekend boosts: Boost Sunday services on Route 406 and 408 to every 20 min to match Saturday services with longer operating hours. 7 day service for Routes 407 and 468 prior to further improvements (see below). 

* SmartBus for Highpoint: SmartBus 903 rerouted via Highpoint Shopping Centre to provide more frequent long hours connection between it and the Craigieburn line and Sunshine. This compensates for the Blue Orbital SmartBus via Highpoint that was proposed but got cancelled. 

* Footscray - Northcote SmartBus: Upgrade bus route 404 to operate 7 days with potential to merge with Route 508 across inner north. Ultimately operate as frequent 7 day SmartBus operating long hours.

* Tram boosts: Boost evening and Sunday morning tram services to every 15 min or better on routes 57 and 82. Boost Route 82 to operate every 10 min off-peak. 

Maroondah

* Turn up & go trains day and night: Trains to Ringwood boosted to operate every 10 minutes until midnight 7 days with a simplified greenfield timetable including fewer peak stopping patterns.

* Route 901 weekend upgrade: Boost SmartBus 901 weekend frequency to Frankston to every 15 minutes and add Sunday evening service. 

* Canterbury Rd bus: New direct Canterbury Rd bus route between Ringwood and Box Hill. Introduced in conjunction with bus network simplification in area. 

* New 7 day coverage: Increased bus coverage in unserved areas including Ringwood East and Croydon South. Upgrade all routes to operate to minimum standards, ie until at least 9pm. 

Melbourne 

This is a council where it's best to disregard the loudest Lord Mayoral candidates due to their obsession with free rather than good PT. If you want the latter, tell them they need to advocate something like this to boost the CBD's night time economy.  

* Cut train waits: Maximum waits on all rail lines cut from 30-40 min to 15-20 min until midnight to boost night time economy plus more frequent 6am - 10am Sunday service to match Saturday timetable

* Cut tram waits: Maximum waits on all tram lines cut from 20-30 min to 10-15 min until midnight to boost night time economy plus more frequent 6am - 10am Sunday service to match Saturday timetable

* Improved bus hours and frequencies: More frequent service and longer hours on CBD periphery bus routes including 246 and 402. 

* Bus lanes: 24/7 bus lanes on Lonsdale St with more attractive waiting conditions for passengers. 

Melton 

* Electric trains: Rail electrification and more stations (eg Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park) to bring service nearer growth areas

* Cut weekend train waiting: Boost Melton weekend trains from every 60 min to every 20 min with earlier weekend starts.

* New bus network for Melton town: Major bus reform including more direct Wyndham-style greenfields network for Melton town with 7 day service every 20 min or better.

* Taylors Rd east-west BRT: Frequent bus rapid transit type service connecting Deanside with Caroline Springs, Keilor Plains and potentially Melbourne Airport. 

* New bus coverage/replace FlexiRide: New routes for growth area coverage including Mt Atkinson and replacing the unreliable FlexiRide with new fixed routes in areas like Thornhill Park.  

Merri-bek

* Upgrade Upfield: Upfield line frequency boost, starting with cutting 30 and 40 minute gaps to 20 minutes with ultimate duplication and a new station at Campbellfield. 

* 508 SmartBus: Upgrade bus route 508 to operate as a high frequency 7 day SmartBus operating long hours. Potentially extend to Ascot Vale station and Footscray by merging with Route 404. 

* Murray Rd Megabus: a major east west bus route operating every 10-15 min or better 7 days between Heidelberg, Northland, Preston and Coburg incorporating resources from existing duplicative routes. Service to have long operating hours including Sunday evenings.

* 7 day service rolled out: Major weekend bus frequency and operating hours boosts, including new 7 day service on routes 503, 506, 512, 526 and 536. 

* Optimum station locations: Ensure proposed relocated Upfield line station are optimised for connectivity with major bus routes, notably 508, 503 and 506 in that order. 

Mitchell

* Rail extension: Extension of Craigieburn line electrification to Beveridge or Wallan

* New bus routes: Extension of metropolitan bus network to municipality

Monash 

* Less train waits: Glen Waverley line service upgraded with maximum 20 minute waits at any time (including evenings and Sunday mornings). Ultimate aim is a 10 min service. 

* SRL SmartBus: Every 10 min or better 7 days operating between Box Hill and Southland/Sandringham based on extended and upgraded Route 733. 

* 900 boost: Upgrade Route 900 SmartBus to operate every 10 min or better weekdays, 15 min or better weekends with new Sunday evening service. 

* 737 SmartBus: Upgrade bus route 737 to operate as a frequent long hours SmartBus between Croydon, Boronia, Knox City, Glen Waverley, Monash Clayton and Westall station.

* Frequent 7 days on Springvale Rd: Upgrade Route 902 SmartBus to every 15 minutes on weekends by adding short trips between Nunawading and Springvale South to more intensively serve the route's busiest portion. Also add Sunday evening service on this portion.  

* Ferntree Gully Rd bus upgrade: Extend bus Route 693 west to Chadstone and boost service to operate every 20 min or better 7 days a week with longer operating hours, in conjunction with local area bus network reform involving merging with part of 742.

* 7 day upgrades: Upgrade all bus routes to 7 day service starting with 802, 804, 814 and 885, with operating hours extended to 9pm. 

Moonee Valley

* Cut train waits: Craigieburn line boosted to operate every 10 minutes 7 days in a staged process starting with cutting 30 and 40 minute gaps to 20 minutes. Essential as this line has Frankston's patronage but half the service. 

* Airport Connector: Frequent long hours limited stop bus route operating from Sunshine Station to Melbourne Airport with potential stop at Keilor East. 

* Inner north SmartBus: Upgrade bus route 508 to operate as a high frequency 7 day SmartBus operating long hours with an extension to Footscray through a merger with Route 404.

* 7 day bus upgrades: Major weekend bus frequency and operating hours boosts, including new 7 day service on routes 503, 506, 512, 526 and 536. 

Mornington Peninsula

* Bus hours: Upgrade bus operating hours so that all routes operate 7 days and over longer hours, notably in parts of Rosebud and Hastings and fill coverage gaps (right now some routes finish as early as 3 or 4pm) . 

* More fixed routes: Replace unreliable FlexiRide with fixed route services operating 7 days.

* Stony Point Upgrade: Economical upgrade of Stony Point line to permit more frequent services. 

Nillumbik

* Train boost: Boost Hurstbridge line frequency to run every 20 min or better at all times to at least Eltham. 

* Bus reform: Simplify bus network with fewer overlaps and better access to key destinations including La Trobe University, hospitals at Heidelberg and Northland Shopping Centre. Adjust frequencies so they harmonise with trains. Add coverage where needed (Eg Bolton St) and improve services on urban routes (eg 513 and 514) to minimum standards (eg no 80 min frequencies). 

Port Phillip 

* Tram service boost: Evening trams boosted from every 20-30 min to every 10-15 min until midnight to reflect the area's nightlife. Also greater Sunday morning frequency. 

* Frequent Sandringham trains: Sandringham line frequency boosted to every 10 min 7 days starting with Sunday am service boosted from every 40 to every 20  min. 

* East-west bus upgrades: Major upgrade to bus routes 623 and 630 with services every 20 minutes or better 7 days and longer operating hours. 

* Simpler buses: Simplification and consolidation of complex bus routes 600/922/923 and 606 in St Kilda - Elwood area with fewer routes, higher frequencies and longer operating hours. 

 Stonnington

* Train frequency boost: Glen Waverley line service upgraded with maximum 20 minute waits at any time (including evenings and Sunday mornings). Ultimately aim for 10 min service.  

* Evening/Sunday tram boosts: Boost tram frequencies to operate every 15 min or better at night and on Sunday mornings. 

* North-south buses: Two routes including (a) Add new Caulfield - La Trobe University route offering frequent service via the Glenferrie/Camberwell area, linking numerous tram lines, likely a merged 548 and 624 and (b) new Burnley St bus connect inner east with inner south (potentially extended route 603 or 604), terminating at Victoria Gardens or Hawthorn. 

* Cross Gardiners Creek link: Route 734 extended to Caulfield Station to provide improved connectivity in the Ashburton area and between train lines.  

* Bus hours: Boost operating hours on buses 605 and 612 and Sunday frequency on 605. 

Whitehorse 

* Ringwood train turn-up-and-go: Trains to Ringwood boosted to operate every 10 minutes until midnight 7 days with a simplified greenfield timetable including fewer peak stopping patterns.

* Tram frequencies: Boost evening and Sunday morning service frequency on trams such as Route 109.

* SRL SmartBus: Frequent route operating between Box Hill and Southland/Sandringham based on extended and upgraded Route 733 operating every 10 min 7 days. 

* Route 903 weekend upgrade: Boost SmartBus 903 weekend frequency to every 15 minutes and add Sunday evening service between at least Heidelberg and Mentone. 

* Route 703 upgrade: Boost 703 from Blackburn to full SmartBus operating hours and boost weekend service. 

* Canterbury Rd bus: New direct Canterbury Rd bus route between Ringwood and Box Hill. Introduced in conjunction with bus network simplification in area. 

* Bus operating hours and weekend frequencies: Extend hours on short-span routes like 612 to 9pm or better. Improved weekend frequencies on key routes such as 302, 732, 765 and 767. 
 

Whittlesea

* Turn-up-and-go trains until midnight: Mernda line boosted to operate every 10 minutes 7 days in a staged process starting with cutting 30 and 40 minute gaps to 20 minutes. 

* SRL North SmartBus to the airport: Route 902 orbital transformed into a frequent 7 day 'SRL SmartBus' across the northern suburbs between Melbourne Airport and at least Greensborough via Keon Park. 

* Weekend orbital upgrade: Route 901 boosted to every 20 min or better between at least Broadmeadows and South Morang, with new Sunday evening service added. 

* Wollert buses: A Wollert transit system comprising buses on their own right of way every 10 min or better feeding trains at Epping. Such frequent service could operate via two main corridors - Edgars Rd and Epping Rd. 

* Epping bus extension: Route 566 extended to Epping Plaza to provide a stronger east-west link for Childs Rd. Route also split at Greensborough to eliminate complex and confusing backtracking. 

* Direct buses that connect with trains: Major bus network review with routes like 555, 556 and 566 simplified and made more direct with clockface 20 minute frequencies that mesh evenly with trains.  

Wyndham 

* Werribee fast trains: Werribee line boosted to every 10 min 7 days with all trips operating direct all week (ie not via Altona). 

* Boosted weekend trains: Trains to Wyndham Vale boosted from every 40 to 20 min with weekend service commencing 2 hours earlier on both Saturday and Sunday. 

* Wyndham Vale electrification: Electrification of Tarneit line to Wyndham Vale with new stations. Configured to provide a two-tier service in conjunction with Geelong.  

* Werribee line extension: Extension of Werribee line to Wyndham Vale with new stations to enable rail-rail connection to Geelong line. Politically even sellable as 'SRL West' since it will be possible to travel entirely by train to Sunshine. 

* Tram-like spinal bus: Buses upgraded to every 10 min 7 days with improved stops. First stage Route 170 Tarneit - Werribee. Then through-routed to 190 to Wyndham Vale as second stage. Third stage potentially a route to Williams Landing eg 150. Service on these would continue until midnight Sun-Thursday and be 24 hours on weekends. 

* Most buses every 20 min 7 days: The following high patronage mostly every 40 minute routes to operate every 20 min 7 days: 150, 152, 160, 182, 190, 192, 494, 495 & 497. Operating hours extended on these and other routes such as 170 and 180. These work the existing fleet harder. 

* Jobs connector: New route from Tarneit Station to Laverton North jobs, likely via Dohertys Rd to include residential catchment. 

* Sneydes Rd bus: New east-west Sneydes Rd route in Point Cook from Laverton to Hoppers Crossing or Werribee. 

Yarra 

* Train boosts: Trains to Ringwood boosted to operate every 10 minutes until midnight 7 days with a simplified greenfield timetable including fewer peak stopping patterns.

* Tram upgrade: More frequent evening and Sunday morning trams. 

* Route 246 upgrade: Upgrade weekend frequency to 10 min with evenings boosted to 15 min or better.

* North-south bus link: A new Burnley St bus connect inner east with inner south (potentially extended route 603 or 604), terminating at Victoria Gardens or Hawthorn. 

Yarra Ranges

* Less train waiting: Belgrave line upgraded to operate every 20 minutes or better weekdays interpeak and ultimately until midnight 7 days. 

* Dandenongs tourist and hospital visitor connector: Bus Route 688 extended to Ringwood to improve connections to hospitals on Mt Dandenong Rd.  

* Maroondah highway 7 day bus boost: Weekend frequency on bus route 670 upgraded from 40 to 20 minutes. 

* 7 day buses: 7 day service on routes such as 675, 677, 680 and 689 with network simplification in Montrose area. 


Other resources

Street People Love is asking candidates to complete surveys on their views on active and public transport. This is one way to find supportive candidates. 

Also check the Melbourne Public Transport Frequent Network maps and zoom in to your area for more potential upgraded routes and filling in of missing links. 


Contact candidates

All serious candidates will have phone numbers and email addresses published. Once you know your council and ward you can find them here. Why not get in touch to ask what their views are and how they will advocate for better transport your areas needs? FixDandyBuses will be doing this and publishing replies on its Facebook page for Dandenong area transport issues. 

See all Building Melbourne's Useful Network items here