Extended public transport routes, reduced fares, lowered speed limits, increased service frequency and a revamped bus network form part of a draft 30-year blueprint to help Victoria’s infrastructure cope with the state’s growing population.
Released by Victoria’s independent expert advisory body, Infrastructure Victoria, the proposal is updated every three to five years and reflects insight from community and stakeholder feedback.
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“If actioned, our recommendations will significantly reduce the costs to government of providing the infrastructure Victorians will need over the next 3 decades,” Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Jonathan Spear says.
“Action on these recommendations can generate at least $155 billion worth of benefits to Victorians over the next decade.”
A major focus in the draft strategy was improving the state’s current public transport system.
The proposal recommended that bus services across Victoria be given a makeover, redesigning bus routes to be more direct and starting services earlier and finishing later.
It suggested the government build a new rapid transit bus network on five routes including Tarneit to Maribyrnong, Point Cook to Watergardens, Melton to Broadmeadows, Huntingdale to Upper Ferntree Gully, and Endeavour Hills to Southland.
Running more buses in regional cities was a hot topic, starting with Shepparton, Wodonga, Mildura, Wangaratta, Horsham and Bairnsdale. It also suggested more buses that connect small towns to regional cities, starting with routes like Bendigo to Wangaratta, Geelong to Bendigo via Ballarat, and Wodonga to Kerang.
Fix Dandy Buses convenor Peter Parker says increasing bus operating hours across Melbourne would be a welcome change, referencing the report’s statement that “the most disadvantaged areas commonly have the least public transport”.
Parker says that this was particularly the case in Greater Dandenong that had six bus routes that did not run seven days. In contrast, other outer areas like Craigieburn, Melton and Tarneit had all their buses operating seven days.
Long gaps between buses was also an issue in Greater Dandenong, with routes such as 804 having a two hour gap in the Saturday afternoon timetable.
Parker says longer operating hours would massively improve bus connectivity in Greater Dandenong which had routes like the 814 in Springvale and Noble Park North finishing as early as 1pm Saturday and the 802 not running weekends at all.
“7 day service and longer hours for buses was a proven success in Dandenong with the outstanding patronage success of the Route 800 on Princes Hwy that got upgraded last year,” Parker says.
Running more bus services will cost the government $550 million to $750 million each year to operate, which includes includes purchasing and maintaining the bus fleet and depot upgrades. The strategy plan outlines that public transport fares can help offset the operating costs of improved bus services.
Public transport fares influence travel behaviour, with the plan suggesting that Victoria’s fares can be changed to encourage better use of the transport network and deliver the most benefit to Victorians. More people travel during peak hours than off-peak, placing pressure on roads and public transport.
“Lower off-peak fares can encourage motorists to catch public transport instead,” the proposal reads.
“There are many benefits including less congestion and fewer emissions. Cheaper off-peak fares can also help to defer costly infrastructure upgrades.”
After upgrading the Myki ticketing system, the strategy suggests charging lower fares for off-peak travel on Victoria’s buses, trains and trams and reducing the number of regional fare zones.
The proposal also suggested reducing speed limits to 30kph in “local streets”, starting with places that children often visit including around schools, playgrounds, childcare centres and kindergartens.
So far, 30kph speed limits have only been trialled in a few places in Victoria, including in Mildura in the state’s north-west and the Yarra council area, in Melbourne’s inner-north.
“Victoria’s neighbourhoods should be safe for people to travel and for children to play. However, many roads are not safe for pedestrians or bike riders,” the strategy plan reads.
“An average of 35 pedestrians die each year in Victoria. Road trauma is a leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 14 in Australia. Nearly 300 children a year are seriously injured, mostly on local roads with speed limits of 50km/h.
“The Victorian Government should update its speed limit policy and work with local governments to update speed limit signs.”
The Victorian government does not have to formally respond to Infrastructure Victoria’s report until next year.