A notable bus funding commitment in the May 2025 state budget were some improved buses for Wollert - a fast growing suburb in Melbourne's northern suburbs north of Epping.
History
Before we talk about the good stuff that's happening, it's good to get some background. Wollert has had a difficult relationship with public transport with promises made and broken.
Residents moving in thought they were getting a train. It was not just some private subdivision spruiker saying this but the government-based development agency VicUrban (later Places Victoria) who sold the development as uniquely having sustainability features, including public transport.
The promise was believed because VicUrban was government, which Australians trust slightly more than real estate agents. Some bought and built in the then named Aurora Estate on the strength of a train coming 'soon'. The line would branch off the then Epping line at Lalor to head due north. There was even a rail reservation going through the heart of Wollert.
This was the early 2000s. The then Bracks government was breaking or downsizing many of its 1999 metropolitan transport promises in exchange for what it saw as being financially responsible. Whereas the current Andrews-Allan government has been the opposite. It kept more of its promises (Rowville tram excepted) but has difficulties controlling administration and project costs, likely leaving behind a bigger debt.
Rowville at least got the Route 900 SmartBus after the Bracks government (again) raised and then dashed expectations of a rail line there. Also other mooted rail extensions such as South Morang and Cranbourne East got TrainLink buses operating over long hours and meeting every train (571 and 896 respectively).
Aurora Estate though got not even those. The media had a field day with pictures of bus shelters with no buses running past them. Aurora eventually did receive a bus but it was just one route - the 575 running only every 40 or 60 minutes.
The 2016 and 2021 network breakthroughs
The 575 remained running for many years. But Wollert was rapidly expanding with new estates beyond the original Aurora. The big breakthrough for Wollert buses came in 2016 with three new routes (356, 357, 358) replacing the 575, which by then was trying to do too much. These new routes featured more coverage and were more direct.
Provided they weren't delayed all three new routes gave a usable peak service (Every 20 min being about the threshold that commuters start using buses as train feeders - longer than that is insufficient). However their off-peak 40 minute gaps and 9pm finishes are still well short of a train or even a good bus.
Another issue with this network was that it was very Epping-centric. Trips to other than Epping station, Epping Plaza and the health precinct involved significant backtracking and waiting.
There has been no shortage of ideas to fix this. Transport for Melbourne proposed an ambitious network with Wollert routes extending to Craigieburn, Campbellfield, South Morang and Bundoora in 2016. In 2019 I suggested a Wollert - Craigieburn connection by extending Route 357 there. That was followed by concepts for more consistently frequent service on Epping Rd, more stops to reduce large gaps and a potential connection to Bundoora in 2020. I also flagged the need for more and better access to stops on Route 577 in Epping North which was underperforming on usage.
The government and the department around this time were also interested in improved buses for Wollert. Their responsiveness has been faster than in some other growth areas (like Pakenham) where nothing can happen for a decade or so.
The best evidence of this is the commencement of the new route 390 in 2021 with at least two service upgrades in short succession since and more to come. The 390 provides a west-east connection from Craigieburn to Mernda. But all three of the north-south Wollert routes come close but do not meet it, making trips to anywhere but Epping inconvenient.
The existing Route 357 features 24 hour service on weekends as it is a Night Network route. Any reconfiguring may mean that some areas gain extra operating hours while others may lose it. Possibilities may include two routes getting Night Network service and/or some offsetting benefits such as 9pm to midnight Monday to Thursday trips on some routes. That could be worth discussing as you can catch a Route 357 from Epping at 2am on a Sunday but not 10pm on a Thursday and there may well be higher interest in longer weeknight span like done on some Werribee routes.
Residents moving in thought they were getting a train. It was not just some private subdivision spruiker saying this but the government-based development agency VicUrban (later Places Victoria) who sold the development as uniquely having sustainability features, including public transport.
The promise was believed because VicUrban was government, which Australians trust slightly more than real estate agents. Some bought and built in the then named Aurora Estate on the strength of a train coming 'soon'. The line would branch off the then Epping line at Lalor to head due north. There was even a rail reservation going through the heart of Wollert.
This was the early 2000s. The then Bracks government was breaking or downsizing many of its 1999 metropolitan transport promises in exchange for what it saw as being financially responsible. Whereas the current Andrews-Allan government has been the opposite. It kept more of its promises (Rowville tram excepted) but has difficulties controlling administration and project costs, likely leaving behind a bigger debt.
Rowville at least got the Route 900 SmartBus after the Bracks government (again) raised and then dashed expectations of a rail line there. Also other mooted rail extensions such as South Morang and Cranbourne East got TrainLink buses operating over long hours and meeting every train (571 and 896 respectively).
Aurora Estate though got not even those. The media had a field day with pictures of bus shelters with no buses running past them. Aurora eventually did receive a bus but it was just one route - the 575 running only every 40 or 60 minutes.
The 575 remained running for many years. But Wollert was rapidly expanding with new estates beyond the original Aurora. The big breakthrough for Wollert buses came in 2016 with three new routes (356, 357, 358) replacing the 575, which by then was trying to do too much. These new routes featured more coverage and were more direct.
Provided they weren't delayed all three new routes gave a usable peak service (Every 20 min being about the threshold that commuters start using buses as train feeders - longer than that is insufficient). However their off-peak 40 minute gaps and 9pm finishes are still well short of a train or even a good bus.
Another issue with this network was that it was very Epping-centric. Trips to other than Epping station, Epping Plaza and the health precinct involved significant backtracking and waiting.
There has been no shortage of ideas to fix this. Transport for Melbourne proposed an ambitious network with Wollert routes extending to Craigieburn, Campbellfield, South Morang and Bundoora in 2016. In 2019 I suggested a Wollert - Craigieburn connection by extending Route 357 there. That was followed by concepts for more consistently frequent service on Epping Rd, more stops to reduce large gaps and a potential connection to Bundoora in 2020. I also flagged the need for more and better access to stops on Route 577 in Epping North which was underperforming on usage.
The government and the department around this time were also interested in improved buses for Wollert. Their responsiveness has been faster than in some other growth areas (like Pakenham) where nothing can happen for a decade or so.
The best evidence of this is the commencement of the new route 390 in 2021 with at least two service upgrades in short succession since and more to come. The 390 provides a west-east connection from Craigieburn to Mernda. But all three of the north-south Wollert routes come close but do not meet it, making trips to anywhere but Epping inconvenient.
2025's funded upgrades
The above discussion sets an agenda for potential future bus upgrades. These include (a) increased coverage to keep up with housing growth, (b) increased connectivity to the 390 and preferably also (c) improved frequency and hours.
If you were going to introduce a Wyndham-style two-tier network where the main routes operate every 20 minutes or better Monday to Sunday with service until midnight then the two corridors with the strongest claims for this improved service might be Edgars Rd and Epping Rd. Government interest in this style of service has been high recently with this year's state budget funding upgrades in Wyndham (already implemented) and Craigieburn (yet to come). Prior to that there were upgrades to Craigieburn local routes and last year's 475 in Diggers Rest, both of which feature 20 minute weekday service.
The bus network slightly to the south around Epping / Reservoir is a hot mess unreformed for decades. The most notorious example of this is the 556 dogleg that makes trips to Epping Plaza unnecessarily long. The irregular interpeak frequency on the 577 also deserves a mention. The latter may be in scope for these upgrades.
All the above is speculation. We don't yet know exactly what Wollert will be getting. But this video from Lily D'Abrosio MP with minister Gabrielle Williams MP gives some clues. Especially its written description (below).
If you were going to introduce a Wyndham-style two-tier network where the main routes operate every 20 minutes or better Monday to Sunday with service until midnight then the two corridors with the strongest claims for this improved service might be Edgars Rd and Epping Rd. Government interest in this style of service has been high recently with this year's state budget funding upgrades in Wyndham (already implemented) and Craigieburn (yet to come). Prior to that there were upgrades to Craigieburn local routes and last year's 475 in Diggers Rest, both of which feature 20 minute weekday service.
The bus network slightly to the south around Epping / Reservoir is a hot mess unreformed for decades. The most notorious example of this is the 556 dogleg that makes trips to Epping Plaza unnecessarily long. The irregular interpeak frequency on the 577 also deserves a mention. The latter may be in scope for these upgrades.
All the above is speculation. We don't yet know exactly what Wollert will be getting. But this video from Lily D'Abrosio MP with minister Gabrielle Williams MP gives some clues. Especially its written description (below).
Note that there is network reform as well as new routes and route extensions. And mention of improved service frequency. Based on the above, here is my rough guess on what a concept network might look like (click for a better view).
If the above is anything like what we'll get there will be at least (a) coverage gains and (b) increased connectivity to the 390 (provided bus stops are located right at intersections which is sometimes unfortunately neglected). We don't yet know about frequency, though it has been advised that there will be at least some increases.
Given the importance of Epping Plaza and the health precinct as a destination it is hoped that routes like 355 and 356 will through-route to 357 and/or 358 so that passengers can get a one seat ride. This would not have been possible had the 357 retained its current starting location of Thomastown. That instead (I am guessing) gets served by the new 337 which may also take in the current 577.
As for potential higher frequency routes, 357 has good geometry and links major destinations. 355 also has good geometry and services complexes of lower priced apartments (which are good for bus usage). Through-routing the two may provide a legible service every 20 minutes. And, subject to connectivity with trains, offsetting Route 356 departures may be able to provide close to a 10 minute combined service on Epping Rd, at least in peak times.
Given the importance of Epping Plaza and the health precinct as a destination it is hoped that routes like 355 and 356 will through-route to 357 and/or 358 so that passengers can get a one seat ride. This would not have been possible had the 357 retained its current starting location of Thomastown. That instead (I am guessing) gets served by the new 337 which may also take in the current 577.
As for potential higher frequency routes, 357 has good geometry and links major destinations. 355 also has good geometry and services complexes of lower priced apartments (which are good for bus usage). Through-routing the two may provide a legible service every 20 minutes. And, subject to connectivity with trains, offsetting Route 356 departures may be able to provide close to a 10 minute combined service on Epping Rd, at least in peak times.
The existing Route 357 features 24 hour service on weekends as it is a Night Network route. Any reconfiguring may mean that some areas gain extra operating hours while others may lose it. Possibilities may include two routes getting Night Network service and/or some offsetting benefits such as 9pm to midnight Monday to Thursday trips on some routes. That could be worth discussing as you can catch a Route 357 from Epping at 2am on a Sunday but not 10pm on a Thursday and there may well be higher interest in longer weeknight span like done on some Werribee routes.
It needs to be again emphasised that the above is a guess. But from what has been said the revised network should deliver some worthwhile improvements in an area that needs them.
There will be consultation to determine actual alignments. Residents and other parties can sign up to email updates on these here.
There will be consultation to determine actual alignments. Residents and other parties can sign up to email updates on these here.
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