The Public Transport Users Association recently released its advocacy priorities for the 2026 State Election. It concentrates on cost-effective service upgrades across train, tram and bus to cut intervals between trips from their current 30 to 60 minutes to 20 minutes maximum. There is a particular focus on weekend service uplifts.
Rail lines to particularly benefit from going to a 20 minute maximum wait include:
Bus routes that would particularly benefit with 20 minute 7 day service include:
North
● 357 - Epping Station to West Wollert (With a potential extension to Craigieburn)
East
● 606 - Elsternwick Station to Fishermans Bend
SmartBus routes (703, 900, 901, 902, 903, 906, 908) would improve from every 30 to 20 min on weekends while other routes not already listed above would get a 30 minute weekend service. In the vast majority of cases this can be done without needing to buy new buses.
The emphasis for the above include incremental improvements is to get key routes up to 20 minutes maximum waits. This is considered an interim step on the way to an ultimate 10 minute all week service on all main routes, with this happening first in weekday interpeaks for trains to Ringwood and tram routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72, 78 and 82.
The Association's priorities also include:
Tram accessibility and major bus network reform both get less emphasis.
Rail lines to particularly benefit from going to a 20 minute maximum wait include:
● Melton (weekends and evenings)
● Geelong (midday weekdays for Waurn Ponds plus evenings for the whole line)
● Mernda and Hurstbridge (weeknights)
● Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley (weekend evenings and Sunday mornings)
● Belgrave and Lilydale (midday weekdays)
Bus routes that would particularly benefit with 20 minute 7 day service include:
West
● 150 - Tarneit Station to Williams Landing Station
● 160 - Tarneit Station to Hoppers Crossing Station
● 418 - St Albans Station to Caroline Springs
● 460 - Watergardens Station to Caroline Springs Station
● 494 & 495 - Williams Landing to Point Cook South
● 497 - Williams Landing to Saltwater Promenade
North
● 357 - Epping Station to West Wollert (With a potential extension to Craigieburn)
● 504 - Clifton Hill to Moonee Ponds Interchange
● 556 - Northland to Epping Plaza
● 567 - Northcote to Northland SC (potential 549 extension to Regent for coverage)
East
● 606 - Elsternwick Station to Fishermans Bend
● 623 - St Kilda to Glen Waverley Station
● 624 - Kew to Caulfield
● 734 - Glen Waverley Station to Glen Iris Station (With a new extension to Caulfield)
● 737 - Monash University to Croydon Station
South east
● 693 - Oakleigh to Ferntree Gully
South east
● 693 - Oakleigh to Ferntree Gully
● 841 - Cranbourne Station to Narre Warren North
● 850 - Dandenong to Glen Waverley Station
● 881 - Merinda Park Station to Clyde North (799 diverted to Casey Central SC)
● 828 - Hampton to Berwick (weekend improvement in line with local government advocacy.)
SmartBus routes (703, 900, 901, 902, 903, 906, 908) would improve from every 30 to 20 min on weekends while other routes not already listed above would get a 30 minute weekend service. In the vast majority of cases this can be done without needing to buy new buses.
The emphasis for the above include incremental improvements is to get key routes up to 20 minutes maximum waits. This is considered an interim step on the way to an ultimate 10 minute all week service on all main routes, with this happening first in weekday interpeaks for trains to Ringwood and tram routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72, 78 and 82.
The Association's priorities also include:
● Tram extensions for Park St (South Melbourne) and East Malvern
● Station upgrades for Caulfield, Richmond and Broadmeadows
● New stations at Altona North (ie a rebuilt Paisley) and Mt Atkinson
● Growth area rail including Melton electrification, Donnybrook electrification and a Clyde extension
Tram accessibility and major bus network reform both get less emphasis.
Watch me go through the priorities below (9 min)
Alternatively you can download and read them here: https://ptua.org.au/posts/2026/priorities-for-2026-election/
If you like what you read it would be helpful to ask that any political candidates you meet support these priorities.
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