Where is the all week frequent service? Melbourne's 7 day frequent network maps

The Melbourne online public transport frequent network map made public last Friday has been very popular. It's had nearly 2000 views in just a few days. And they can't all have been mine.

Viewer feedback has made it better. Tram and bus routes now have descriptions instead of just numbers. There are more footnotes. And major stations and destinations are marked. Though due to the 10 layer maximum I've had to combine these with the 40 minute frequency train service layer.

The map's main problem is that it showed weekday frequencies only. While weekend frequencies were given when selecting individual routes or corridors, you didn't get a network view of where frequent weekend service exists (unlike weekdays). That's important because many frequent weekday routes become infrequent on weekends. 

Below are frequent network maps for each day of the week. The Saturday map applies on all public holidays except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Use the Sunday map for those.

The top left icon lets you select between 10, 15 and 20 minute frequencies for each mode. Experiment with this if the maps don't look right or you wish to change the background. Top right gives a larger map on a new tab (recommended). And you can share the map as an email or via your favourite social media.

Melbourne public transport frequent network Monday - Friday (~7am - 7pm) 

Note: Peak frequencies are usually better or similar to interpeak frequencies. In a few cases they are not, eg counterpeak trains between Greensborough and Eltham with >40 min gaps. This is why the map shows the 20 minute service terminating at Greensborough.

Melbourne public transport frequent network Saturday (~11am - 6pm)




Melbourne public transport frequent network Sunday (~11am - 6pm)



Most recent update to maps: February 2022

Bookmark this item for convenient access to all three maps.

Travel at night? Here's were you can go after 10pm (also updated 2022).

Or want to see all the bus routes, not just the frequent ones? See PTV's local area maps instead.

Comments are again appreciated and can be left below.

Are you near frequent service? Melbourne's new online frequent network map

Public transport goes to a lot of places in Melbourne. But where is the really useful service? That is the routes and corridors with wide operating hours and good frequency.

Speaking roughly, trams are more frequent than trains. Trains tend to be better than buses. But not always.  Parts of some metropolitan lines have trains only every 40 minutes.  Rail infrastructure usually assures wide operating hours but not necessarily the frequency needed for convenient travel.  And there are some very frequent bus routes and corridors. 

This interactive frequency map can help.  It shows only the most frequent, and thus useful, parts of the network.  Show or hide train, tram and bus.  Choose between 10, 15 or 20 minute frequency thresholds on each mode (menu in top left of map below).  Or use the 40 minute layer for the whole suburban train network.  It’s not my first attempt at frequent network mapping but I think this is better and more useful. 

Or open the Melbourne frequent public transport network map here (new window)

Frequencies shown are daytime maximum waiting times between approximately 7am and 7pm. Many routes have higher frequencies during peak times. Although that isn't always the case and I had to make minor allowances. For example I kept Altona and Williamstown trains on the 20 minute map even though they operate every 22 minutes. In contrast counter-peak trains between Greensborough and Eltham have 40 minute gaps. So I left Montmorency and Eltham off the 20 minute map even though it features that frequency interpeak.  

Click on a line to get finish times, weekend frequencies, related routes and other information. Future maps will show weekend and evening frequencies.  

This map is easiest to use on a desktop computer. But you can also use it on a mobile device. Poke around for a menu so that you can select which lines and frequencies you wish to appear.  Use it with Google maps transit data so you can zoom in on a frequent line and obtain arrival information on the next service along it. The video above runs you through it. Change the base map for a different view - that's underneath where you select what frequencies and modes to show.  

That’s it for today. I could write more. But I know you’d rather explore the map than read. I'll discuss frequency’s geography, history and politics later. For now though, please let me know your thoughts on the map in the comments section below.

PS: Frequent network maps for all seven days are now available here. 

You might enjoy these well-regarded books on transport topics

Better Buses, Better Cities: How to Plan, Run, and Win the Fight for Effective Transit Steven Higashide NEW!

The Public City: Essays in honour of Paul Mees Gleeson & Beza

A Political Economy of Access: Infrastructure, Networks, Cities, Institutions (Access Quintet Book 4) David Levinson

Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives Jarrett Walker

Transport for Suburbia: Beyond the Automobile Age Paul Mees

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Timetable Tuesday #18: Route 420 - the L of the west

The most important factor that determines the usefulness of a public transport service is not whether it's a train, tram or bus but its timetable, route and stops.

Today we look at Route 420 between Sunshine and Watergardens via Deer Park. This is an L-shaped main road route.  It serves three major train stations and three main shopping centres. Its large population catchment has demographics favourable for bus use.

Established less than five years ago, Route 420 was the centrepiece of the Brimbank area bus network review in 2014.  Annual patronage in 2016-7 is 540 000, making it similar to that of the more established Route 471 between Sunshine and Williamstown. 

Route 420 serves diverse catchments, with a skew towards low income older people, particularly in the route's south. The timetable reflects the strong all-day patronage it experiences. It serves three stations with Sunshine being the most popular for bus to train connections. When the Melton  railway electrifies Deer Park is likely to become a major interchange point for the 420. This is currently handicapped by inconsistent regional train frequencies (especially on weekends) and the lack of a bus interchange that forces passengers to cross busy roads and walk long distances to connect.

420's main change since inception has been to deviate it off Station Rd to serve the Brimbank Shopping Centre bus interchange. This slows passengers making through trips. However the original stops on busy Station Rd were not in the most convenient location for shoppers. And the new stop location is better for those interchanging to local routes 422, 423 and 424. 

Predecessor routes included Route 454 (Sunshine – Sunshine West via Glengala Rd) and Route 451 (Sunshine – Brimbank Central Shopping Centre). Both were moderately frequent but had sections that were either indirect or overlapped other routes.  They date from when Sunshine was the only large centre in the area, electrified trains terminated at St Albans and nothing existed at Sydenham except for a quiet V/Line station.

Sydenham received electric trains in 2002.  A new station, called Watergardens, was built south of Melton Highway. Bus routes from St Albans served the new station.  All were indirect and infrequent and there was no direct service to Watergardens via Kings Rd.

Proposals for SmartBus orbital routes included a service from Chelsea to Werribee via Airport West, Watergardens, Kings Rd and Deer Park Station.  However only the Chelsea – Airport West portion was implemented.  Kings Rd had to wait until 2014 when Route 420 commenced.

How does Route 420 compare with the cancelled SmartBus extension?  There are pros and cons. SmartBus runs until midnight six nights per week. 420’s hours are shorter, with 9pm finishes.  420 is less frequent on weekdays, operating every 20 minutes compared to 15 minutes for SmartBus.  On the plus side its 20 minute frequency harmonises with trains that also run every 20 minutes.  The flat 20 minute frequency gives 420 a better weekend daytime service than SmartBus (every 30 minutes). 

420’s routing is probably more useful. The extended SmartBus would have traversed many kilometres of low density industrial areas.  Such areas have unmet public transport needs and current service is sparse.  However, industrial area demand patterns are unlikely to suit a SmartBus route with its long operating hours and more frequent service. 

Route 420, in contrast, improved service to the Glengala Rd part of Sunshine West that previously only had access to the indirect Route 454 to Sunshine.  Benefits for Sunshine West include (i) simpler bidirectional operation along Glengala Rd, (ii) direct access to Deer Park and Watergardens and (iii) increased Sunday frequency.  Access to some schools has been improved.  There are few overlaps with other routes (network map below). And the residential area of Sunshine West along with trip generators in Sunshine itself mean a likely higher patronage than if the route had extended south of Deer Park into the industrial area.  

Route 420’s timetable is below.  Most trips run their full route. Short-workings exist at the ends of the day and to better serve the route’s inner portion from Sunshine during the evening. 

What do you think of the Route 420?  Is it the sort of direct route you’d like to see more of in the suburbs? Would a 10-15 minute peak frequency be desirable to relieve parking pressure at stations? Should it go nearer Deer Park Station to make interchange easier? And does it deserve to run longer hours or even become a SmartBus?

See other Timetable Tuesday items here