Australia’s bus industry could see significant infrastructure investment over the coming decade, with new bus rapid transit corridors, depot upgrades and high-frequency networks highlighted in the 2026 Infrastructure Priority List.
The national report identifies several projects that would directly affect bus operations, particularly in fast-growing metropolitan areas where buses play a key role in expanding public transport capacity.
Dedicated bus corridors, signal priority upgrades and improved interchanges are identified as critical measures to increase service reliability and reduce travel times across busy urban routes.
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Among the major proposals are upgrades to Brisbane’s High Frequency Bus Network and improvements to key public transport corridors across the city as preparations continue ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Additional work has also been identified for the Gold Coast’s east-west public transport corridor and the Sunshine Coast’s high-frequency bus network, both of which aim to support rapidly growing populations and expanding employment areas.
In the Australian Capital Territory, the Belconnen Transitway project has been identified as another priority. The proposal focuses on developing dedicated transit infrastructure to support faster and more reliable bus services across Canberra.
Queensland’s proposed Sunshine Coast mass transit program also includes a bus rapid transit component connecting the future Beerwah-to-Birtinya rail corridor with the Sunshine Coast Airport, forming part of a broader regional transport network.
Alongside new corridors, the report highlights the importance of infrastructure upgrades needed to support the transition to zero-emission bus fleets.
Major depot electrification programs are expected to play a key role in enabling large-scale electric bus rollouts.
Future stages of the New South Wales Zero Emission Bus program are listed as an immediate planning priority, focusing on upgrading existing depots, building new facilities and installing energy infrastructure capable of supporting large charging loads.
A similar proposal in South Australia would upgrade depot infrastructure to support the transition of more than 1,000 buses to zero-emission technology over the coming decade.
The report emphasises that investment in depot infrastructure will be critical to ensuring operators can introduce electric buses without compromising service reliability.
Beyond individual projects, broader planning reforms are also underway across several states to strengthen bus networks.
New South Wales is developing a Medium Term Bus Plan aimed at delivering rapid routes and frequent services across the network, while Victoria’s Bus Plan continues to guide improvements to local bus services and network coverage.
Read more:
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- Whanganui to launch redesigned urban bus network
- Busways announces updated leadership team
- First of 270 new Victorian bus timetables launched
- Volvo and WA celebrate 100th electric bus delivery
