Executive Summary: Councils across metropolitan Melbourne have united to back major bus network improvements in a Metropolitan Transport Forum advocacy paper published recently. With key figures (including the premier) known to personally support bus service upgrades, the time is right for state election contenders to publicly back the improved bus services that Melburnians need and are requesting.
The Metropolitan Transport Forum group of councils has followed BusVic and the Public Transport Users Association is requesting party and candidate support for improved bus services across Melbourne.
Such upgrades deliver benefits across a wide area, can be quick to implement and are very cost-effective. They are also something that this government has planned more than delivered with progress slow against Victoria's Bus Plan according to the Auditor General.
MTF's priorities include simpler routes, longer operating hours and higher frequencies, particularly on weekends. MTF's priorities, with input from most councils across Melbourne, are set down in a detailed Bus Services Analysis (pdf with everything - including maps) prepared by Movement and Place Consulting.
General comments MTF's priorities include simpler routes, longer operating hours and higher frequencies, particularly on weekends. MTF's priorities, with input from most councils across Melbourne, are set down in a detailed Bus Services Analysis (pdf with everything - including maps) prepared by Movement and Place Consulting.
The Analysis starts by making a case for investment in bus services. Many bus network improvements are relatively low cost and simple to implement and spread benefits to all residents, not just those near trains and trams. Noteworthy points made include:
* Large variations of public transport service levels by local government area with the City of Melbourne being highest and Pakenham-based Cardinia (whose buses typically have 60 minute or more gaps, even in peak) the lowest. Service per capita shows a similar result.
* Most municipalities have seen a decline in public transport service per capita. This is because service provision (across all public transport modes) has not kept up with population growth in about two-thirds of council areas.
* Large variations of public transport service levels by local government area with the City of Melbourne being highest and Pakenham-based Cardinia (whose buses typically have 60 minute or more gaps, even in peak) the lowest. Service per capita shows a similar result.
* Most municipalities have seen a decline in public transport service per capita. This is because service provision (across all public transport modes) has not kept up with population growth in about two-thirds of council areas.
* Growth areas likely to slip furthest behind if services are not increased include Cardinia, Melton, Wyndham and Casey. The analysis did not include the Shire of Mitchell but this is also likely to be in this group.
* There was a strong association between public transport service provision and car ownership. This has significant cost of living implications due to the household costs of buying, financing and running a car.
* Analysis is done on service span for buses by municipality. Personally I'd have used more typical Monday to Thursday night numbers rather than Friday night (which is skewed by Night Network). Service spans vary between 14 and 18 hours though there are neighbourhoods where they are more likely to be only 12 hours (and less on weekends).
* Over half of municipalities had average gaps at stops between buses that exceeded 20 minutes. This average conceals variations where many stops would have 40 to 60 minute gaps, particularly on weekends.
* Weekend bus services are about half weekday frequency on average. Cardinia, Melton, Casey and Mornington Peninsula score well on this score. But this is entirely due to weekday services also being infrequent (typically hourly). At the other end of the scale Merri-bek is lowest ranked as their buses typically run every 20 minutes on weekdays but often lack Sunday service. Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley have similar patterns - that is densifying inner areas whose bus timetables reflect pre Sunday and in some cases pre Saturday afternoon trading.
* The average cost of running a bus is about $7.10 per kilometre, though it should be noted that buses have lower carrying capacity than other modes. Still it makes adding bus service relatively cheap.
* Some savings measures on high frequency routes by improving bus priority, spacing stops wider and reappraising run times are suggested.
* Certain radial and orbital main roads are designated as economic corridors. These have been identified as major bus corridors that justify more intensive service. Some of these have very infrequent service currently, especially on weekends.
* There was a strong association between public transport service provision and car ownership. This has significant cost of living implications due to the household costs of buying, financing and running a car.
* Analysis is done on service span for buses by municipality. Personally I'd have used more typical Monday to Thursday night numbers rather than Friday night (which is skewed by Night Network). Service spans vary between 14 and 18 hours though there are neighbourhoods where they are more likely to be only 12 hours (and less on weekends).
* Over half of municipalities had average gaps at stops between buses that exceeded 20 minutes. This average conceals variations where many stops would have 40 to 60 minute gaps, particularly on weekends.
* Weekend bus services are about half weekday frequency on average. Cardinia, Melton, Casey and Mornington Peninsula score well on this score. But this is entirely due to weekday services also being infrequent (typically hourly). At the other end of the scale Merri-bek is lowest ranked as their buses typically run every 20 minutes on weekdays but often lack Sunday service. Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley have similar patterns - that is densifying inner areas whose bus timetables reflect pre Sunday and in some cases pre Saturday afternoon trading.
* The average cost of running a bus is about $7.10 per kilometre, though it should be noted that buses have lower carrying capacity than other modes. Still it makes adding bus service relatively cheap.
* Some savings measures on high frequency routes by improving bus priority, spacing stops wider and reappraising run times are suggested.
* Certain radial and orbital main roads are designated as economic corridors. These have been identified as major bus corridors that justify more intensive service. Some of these have very infrequent service currently, especially on weekends.
Banyule
- Splitting the complex and confusing 566 Also desirable to extend to Pacific Epping/Northern Hospital
- Extending 561 to Greensborough
- 7 day service for every bus route including 548 and 549
Bayside
- Simplifying the very complex 600/922/923
- Flipping 822 and 828 to make the latter more direct along Bay Rd
- Extending 824 to Brighton to replace the complex 811/812 in area
Boroondara
- Extend 567 to Camberwell via Kew and Swinburne to provide a Chandler Hwy bus
- Extend 734 to Caulfield
- Amalgamate 548 and 624 to provide a simple La Trobe - Caulfield - Oakleigh route
Brimbank
- Service upgrades for 400, 408 and 418
- Connect 417 and 427 for better access to jobs in Laverton North
- New connections from Melbourne Airport to Brimbank
- Reform bus routes to connect across railway lines at Sunshine, St Albans and Watergardens
- Bus priority on Ballarat Rd and improve 215, 426 and 456 service levels
Casey
- Improved frequency on 828 and 893
- A new Dandenong - Frankston outer orbital involving routes 861, 841 and 791
- Improved bus network directness in Hampton Park and Berwick
- Route extensions to improve connectivity to employment areas such as Dandenong South
- Earlier introduction of bus services in growth areas
Darebin
- Improved frequency on 301, 508 and 510 301 less important until rail frequency is boosted
- Extend 536 to Reservoir by merging with reformed 558
- Combine 567 and 609 to provide a Northland - Swinburne connection via Chandler Hwy
- Simplify bus routes along Bell St and Murray Rd and improve frequency
- Merge 548 and 624 to provide a combined La Trobe - Swinburne - Monash Caulfield route
Frankston
(not involved)
Glen Eira
- Network reform in Bentleigh East area with a straightened route 822 enabled by reform to 626 and 627
- Rerouting 823 to terminate at Elsternwick to serve more of Nepean Hwy
- Extending 630 to Fishermans Bend
- Increased frequency and span for 703 particularly weekends and peaks
Hobsons Bay
- Consolidate 411 and 412 into a simpler route
- Improved industrial area coverage by rerouting 400 to Williams Landing, 152 to North Williamstown and 154 to Newport Removing the very popular 152 from Williams Landing is political poison but the 400 idea has much merit
- Realign indirect 432 and consider connection to West Gate Punt
- Reform 232 to run via Fishermans Bend and remove the Toyota deviation
Hume
- Flip routes 901 and 902 at Broadmeadows so that 901 goes to Airport West and 902 to Melbourne Airport
- Sunday service on 538 and same frequency 7 days on 532
- Merge some bus routes through Roxburgh Park and Broadmeadows interchanges to reduce the need to change (eg 477/538, 542/544, 531/540)
- Growth area exensions
- Sunday service on 538 and same frequency 7 days on 532
- Merge some bus routes through Roxburgh Park and Broadmeadows interchanges to reduce the need to change (eg 477/538, 542/544, 531/540)
- Growth area exensions
Kingston
- Improved frequencies on 828
- Improved frequencies on 903 (especially weekends)
- Improved frequencies on 708 (especially weekends)
- Improved frequencies on 903 (especially weekends)
- Improved frequencies on 708 (especially weekends)
Manningham
- A new Pines - Templestowe - Heidelberg bus route
- Replace the poorly used 280 / 282 with routes that better serve local needs
- Investigate a frequent busway on the Doncaster Rd corridor
- Replace the poorly used 280 / 282 with routes that better serve local needs
- Investigate a frequent busway on the Doncaster Rd corridor
Maribyrnong
- Simplify Footscray - Highpoint bus services including 223/406 consolidation
- New connection between Maribyrnong, Ashley St and Tottenham
- Review central Footscray bus network and interchange
- Bus priority including possible 220 BRT on Ballarat Rd
- New connection between Maribyrnong, Ashley St and Tottenham
- Review central Footscray bus network and interchange
- Bus priority including possible 220 BRT on Ballarat Rd
Melbourne
- Extend 604 to Williamstown Rd to improve connectivity from Anzac Station
- Realign Route 232 via Lorimer St to connect Fishermans Bend with western suburbs
- Boost 241 weekend frequency
- Improved bus priority on key streets including Hoddle, Queen, Lonsdale and to Fishermans Bend
Melton
- Increase span and frequency of 460
- New Taylors Rd Bus Rapid Transport going to Melbourne Airport
- New Taylors Rd Bus Rapid Transport going to Melbourne Airport
- Reform Melton township bus network with better frequency and directness
- Improved hours and frequency across bus network
- Early delivery of bus services in growth areas
- Early delivery of bus services in growth areas
Merri-bek
- Extend 536 to Reservoir (via 558)
- Extend Route 527 to Broadmeadows and improve Sunday frequency
- Increase frequency and span on 503, 506 and 508
- Increase 531 to a tram-like service level to connect with 19 tram An extension to Coburg station would be highly desirable
- Extend Route 527 to Broadmeadows and improve Sunday frequency
- Increase frequency and span on 503, 506 and 508
- Increase 531 to a tram-like service level to connect with 19 tram An extension to Coburg station would be highly desirable
Mitchell
(not involved)
(not involved)
Monash
- Increase frequencies on Route 737
- Increase frequencies on Route 754
- Upgrade Glen Waverley bus interchange
- Increase frequencies on Route 754
- Upgrade Glen Waverley bus interchange
Moonee Valley
- Flip routes 503 and 510 in Essendon for more directness
- Increase frequency and span on 503, 506 and 510
- Extend 478 and 479 to Moonee Ponds Would overlap other routes - better to boost frequency/hours
- Increase frequency and span on 503, 506 and 510
- Extend 478 and 479 to Moonee Ponds Would overlap other routes - better to boost frequency/hours
- Upgrade Moonee Ponds interchange for better accessibility
Mornington Peninsula
- Reform 782 and 783 and coordinate with trains Irregular train timetable would need fixing first
- Increase frequency and span of 787
- Continue 887 express bus further down peninsula
- Improve service levels in Rosebud and Dromana
- Continue 887 express bus further down peninsula
- Improve service levels in Rosebud and Dromana
Nillumbik
- Merge Route 343 with southern half of Route 566
- Provide bus coverage on Bolton St Eltham as part of a wider network review
- Simplify network to remove unidirectional running on routes 517, 518 and 582
- Harmonise bus with train frequencies
- Provide bus coverage on Bolton St Eltham as part of a wider network review
- Simplify network to remove unidirectional running on routes 517, 518 and 582
- Harmonise bus with train frequencies
Port Phillip
- Upgrade Route 606 to run more frequently
- Simplify the very complex Routes 600, 922 and 923
- Provide an east-west connection to Anzac Station by extending Route 604 through South Melbourne
- Simplify the very complex Routes 600, 922 and 923
- Provide an east-west connection to Anzac Station by extending Route 604 through South Melbourne
Stonnington
- Extend Route 734 from Glen Iris to Caulfield via Gardiner Station
- Extend Route 603 north to Victoria Gardens
- Connect Route 604 or 605 to Route 235 to connect Metro Tunnel to Fishermans Bend
- Combine 548 and 624 to provide a simple north-south route from Ivanhoe to Caulfield
- Simplify bus routes between Caulfield and Huntingdale including 623/624 consolidation
- Extend Route 603 north to Victoria Gardens
- Connect Route 604 or 605 to Route 235 to connect Metro Tunnel to Fishermans Bend
- Combine 548 and 624 to provide a simple north-south route from Ivanhoe to Caulfield
- Simplify bus routes between Caulfield and Huntingdale including 623/624 consolidation
Whitehorse
- Simplify bus services including consolidating 281 and 293 along Edgar Rd
- Provide a new Canterbury Rd bus from Union Station to Ringwood
- Boost weekend frequencies to weekday levels on the busiest routes including 302, 304 and 903
- Boost weekend frequencies to weekday levels on the busiest routes including 302, 304 and 903
Whittlesea
- Extend Route 357 in Wollert further north and potentially south to Reservoir
- Combine some routes to run through railway stations eg 358 and 369 and 390 and 385 Some routes eg 390 justify higher frequencies than others eg 385 and combining may prevent needed service upgrades on the busiest section. This problem has retarded service upgrades on the orbital SmartBuses.
- Improve bus connections to La Trobe University
- Review bus network in area
- Combine some routes to run through railway stations eg 358 and 369 and 390 and 385 Some routes eg 390 justify higher frequencies than others eg 385 and combining may prevent needed service upgrades on the busiest section. This problem has retarded service upgrades on the orbital SmartBuses.
- Improve bus connections to La Trobe University
- Review bus network in area
Wyndham
- Higher frequencies on popular routes including 150, 152, 160, 495 and 498
- Increase base frequency on Route 190 to every 10 min
- Increase base frequency on Route 190 to every 10 min
- A Wyndham bus loop between Werribee, East Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Pacific Werribee
Yarra
- Extend Route 603 to Victoria Gardens
- Boost servicing on, and marketing of, Route 246
- Boost 241 weekend frequencies
- Boost servicing on, and marketing of, Route 246
- Boost 241 weekend frequencies
- Flip 250/1 with 504 alignment in Clifton Hill for better directness
- 24/7 bus lanes on Hoddle St
- 24/7 bus lanes on Hoddle St
Yarra Ranges
(not involved) Conclusion
Some councils stuck to three main points while others combined several routes in the one point to sneak a few more (mostly sensible) asks in. A limitation of the local government-based approach was that some potentially strong cross-regional bus corridors (such as as SRL precursors) didn't get quite the emphasis they deserve in my view.
Still it is fantastic that MTF have brought councils together in this way. The implementation of its bus agenda would be a huge step forward for buses in Melbourne, reviving bus network reform from the hole it fell into after the 2022 state election. And with the next state election barely two months away and both premier Ben Carroll and key opposition members personally supportive of bus service upgrades, MTF's timing couldn't be better.
Visit the MTF website both to view their proposals and watch videos on recent transport forums they have hosted around Melbourne. MTF has also written to all MPs requesting support. This makes it doubly important that whenever you see an MP or candidate seeking your vote, you ask them to urge their party to support major bus network upgrades like the MTF is advocating.
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