Urgent call for new rapid bus services in Melbourne’s growing suburbs
The Victorian Government should start planning now for bus rapid transit services on 6 priority routes across Melbourne, the state’s independent infrastructure advisor finds.
Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Dr Jonathan Spear said: “Melburnians have built many new homes on the edges of the city, often far away from train lines. People who live in these areas have no easy public transport options, forcing them to drive.”
Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025–2055, makes 45 recommendations to the Victorian Government across infrastructure sectors including transport, health, housing, energy, social infrastructure and the environment. It also identifies 8 future options for the government to consider.
The updated strategy offers practical, evidence-based advice on the projects, policies and reforms most critical to Victoria’s growth and resilience over the next 3 decades. New evidence and analysis, together with stakeholder and community feedback, have directly informed updates to the strategy.
“Bus rapid transit networks provide a faster and more frequent service than Melbourne’s existing bus network as they use larger buses that run along dedicated or separated lanes. Buses stop at stations with platforms, real-time information, shelter and seating,” Dr Spear said.
Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide already have bus rapid transit networks.
Infrastructure Victoria has prioritised 6 routes to progress by the early 2030s, based on new modelling that shows the number of passengers expected to use the services.
The 6 new bus rapid transit routes (see Figure 1) Infrastructure Victoria recommends government progress by the early 2030s include:
- Tarneit to Highpoint
- Point Cook to Watergardens
- Melton to Broadmeadows
- Huntingdale to Upper Ferntree Gully
- Endeavour Hills to Southland
- Mitcham to Melbourne’s city centre (including a new Hoddle Street busway for more reliable and efficient services from suburbs like Doncaster and Templestowe).
The 30-year infrastructure strategy also recommends the government introduce high-frequency buses that run every 5 to 10 minutes on key routes to major activity centres. In growth areas, the government should add new bus routes and run buses more often.
“About a third of Melburnians wait more than 20 minutes for a nearby public transport service on an average weekday,” Dr Spear said. “This makes it an inconvenient option for many people.”
Running buses more often provides around $1.20 of benefits for every dollar invested.
“Thousands more people used buses after service changes in the past 2 years. The changes ran buses more often and added more direct services to key places,” Dr Spear said.
By partnering with the Australian Government and other organisations, along with smarter use of existing government land, the Victorian Government can implement the strategy’s 45 recommendations at a cost of around $60 billion.
“Our recommendations lay out how the Victorian Government can reduce the costs of providing infrastructure over the next 3 decades and generate over $166 billion worth of benefits for Victorians,” Dr Spear said.
Infrastructure Victoria is required to develop and update Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy every 3 to 5 years. This is the second strategy update since Infrastructure Victoria was created 10 years ago.
Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025–2055 will be tabled in the Victorian Parliament this week to inform the policies of all parties. The Victorian Government is required to respond to the strategy recommendations within 12 months.
Media enquiries
Mandy Frostick mandy.frostick@infrastructurevictoria.com.au Ph: 0419 546 245
Madeleine Brennan madeleine.brennan@infrastructurevictoria.com.au Ph: 0402 715 577
Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025–2055 recommends:
Recommendation 9: Run faster bus services, more often, in Victoria’s largest cities
Run buses more often, for longer hours, and give buses priority on the road. In stages, straighten out existing bus routes so they are fast and direct. Add routes in growth areas that do not have any services.
Recommendation 10: Build a new bus rapid transit network
Build a new bus rapid transit network in Melbourne, starting with routes that connect train stations and busy destinations. Extend the new Eastern Busway along Hoddle Street.
Recommendation 14: Make off-peak public transport cheaper and simplify regional fare zones
After upgrading the myki ticketing system, charge lower fares for off-peak travel on Victoria’s buses, trains and trams. Simplify fares and reduce the number of regional fare zones.
Figure 1: Melbourne is well suited to a bus rapid transit network that runs along dedicated lanes
