The Department of Transport is undertaking a major review of the bus network in Melbourne’s north and north eastern suburbs as part of a plan to develop a modern, fast, reliable and environmentally sustainable network.
Opening consultation, the Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll said the review would roll out over the next five weeks with online consultation to better understand the current travel behaviours of communities in the local Government areas of Moreland, Darebin, Banyule, Manningham and Hume.
“This engagement will give a better understanding of how people currently use their bus services, but also what would encourage them to use buses more – including where, when and how they would like to travel,” Mr Carroll said.
“This information will help inform future planning for bus reform in these areas of Melbourne and provide insights and learnings that might be applied to other metropolitan or regional networks,” he said.
“These areas were selected for their diverse transport profiles including servicing major, business, retail and educational precincts such as Latrobe University’s Bundoora Campus.”
Mr Carroll said further consultation was also being rolled out in Mildura as part of another major review of the local bus network in the State’s northwest.
He said the reviews were part of the implementation of Transport’s Victoria’s Bus Plan, released in June 2021, which set out how the Department would shape the bus network to increase the number of people who chose to take the bus by delivering simple, safe, reliable and comfortable journeys.
“This includes examining new and innovative ways of delivering bus services such as demand responsive services,” the Minister said.
“It is also looking at cleaner, smarter fleets with more bus types and improvements to accessibility and safety.”
He said consultation all three reviews was open until 16 October.
Further information on the bus network reviews of the can be accessed at this PS News link.
