West Melbourne community members will gather on the steps of Parliament this Wednesday November 27, in support of a petition being debated for bus network reform in the western suburbs.
The petition, presented in mid-October, has already garnered over 3000 signatures and draws attention to the inadequacy of bus services in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
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The petition requests that the Legislative Council call on the Victorian government to commit at least $100 million additional annual operational funding in the next budget cycle.
It also calls for a capital investment of at least $100 million to reform the bus network across the western metropolitan area into a fast, frequent, and connected grid, serviced by clean, electric buses before the 2026 election.
The petition will be debated at 5:30pm by Western Metropolitan Upper House member David Ettershank MP.
The rally, organised by Sustainable Cities – a collective of community members passionate about sustainable and equitable transport – aims to bring even more attention to the growing issue.
“Residents in the west are fed up with their broken bus system,” a Sustainable Cities statement read.
“This is clearly evidenced by the more than 3,000 signatures collected on a recent petition for bus network reform in the western suburbs.
“All those who support transport equity are invited to join Sustainable Cities Collective for a rally and photo action, prior to the debate.”
The western suburbs have long had issues with bus service frequency and access, with recent attempts to improve the system labelled a “piecemeal approach”.
Last week, public and active transport minister Gabrielle Williams announced that a new bus route will commence on Sunday December 8, connecting Eynesbury and Weir Views with Melton Station.
While this is a much needed service for Melbourne’s fast-growing west, Sustainable Cities are calling for more.
“In comparison with this government’s investment in big road infrastructure projects, it feels like residents of the west are continuously being given scraps, and expected to be grateful for them,” the statement read.
“Comparing investment between transport modes aside, this piecemeal approach to bus reform disappoints in contrast with what was set out in Victoria’s Bus Plan of 2021.
The first objective of the plan is to “make the network simpler, faster and more reliable.” Furthermore, between 2023 and 2030 the key actions include implementation of “reforms that transform Victoria’s bus network and align it with growing demand”
Sustainable Cities spokesperson Adele Vosper says adding single services doesn’t transform the network, it doesn’t make it simpler and its not going to get residents in Melbourne’s West where they need to go.
“The Allan government need to stand by the bus plan and announce a network reform that’s bold and truly transformational,” she says.
“They could create a fast, connected bus service in the west with buses coming every ten minutes, just by reallocating current resources – so what’s the hold up?”
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