The Victorian government has announced the 2025/26 Budget will see $5 billion allocated to public transport across the state, yet with no mention of bus network funding.
With a key focus on Melbourne CBD and surrounds, the multi-billion dollar investment will see $727 million go towards operationalising the Metro Tunnel, delivering turn-up-and-go services for the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines that run through it.
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A further $98.7 million will deliver more frequent services for passengers on other lines, making it easier for passengers to get to work and home sooner. These include the Werribee, Sandringham, Craigieburn, Upfield, Gippsland, Bendigo and Seymour lines.
The Budget also allocated $4 billion towards the Sunshine Station redevelopment, bringing forward $2 billion of the government’s investment in Airport Rail to kickstart works as soon as possible.
“We’re focused on what matters most. People just want to get to work and get home sooner, and I’m on their side,” Victorian premier Jacinta Allan says.
While the opening of the Metro Tunnel and extra rail services will provide some with faster, more connected networks, others are quick to mention the disregard of buses for those in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Advocacy group Sustainable Cities spokesperson Elyse Cunningham says these positive benefits will not be shared with residents living in suburbs not serviced by trains.
The group is calling for a fast, frequent and connected bus network in Melbourne’s west as the solution for providing commuters with reliable access to stations across the Sunbury line, eliminating the need for extra car trips or car park upgrades, and to provide ‘a funnel to the Munnel’.
“For the full benefits of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel to be felt, the Sustainable Cities Collective calls on the Victorian State Government to reform the bus system in the western suburbs to give residents better access to the Sunbury line,” Cunningham says.
“There is no point spending lots of money on rail upgrades if the access to the station is limited only to those who live within walking distance of the line, or have the means to drive to the station.
“A reformed bus network across the west which is fast, frequent and connected to important destinations such as train stations and shopping centres will ensure the transformational impacts of the Metro Tunnel project are equitably shared across the community.”
“Our ultimate message is that we need better buses to provide a ‘funnel to the Metro Tunnel’.”
While increased train capacity helps commuters in and out of the city, most Western Suburbs residents have no reliable options for getting to local activity centres, the shops or train stations without a car.
“A fast, frequent and connected bus system is what will really get people moving in the west and take cars off the road to reduce congestion,” Cunningham says.
“At the moment, families in the western suburbs need two or more cars to get kids to school and parents to the train station. More train services are great, but a transformed bus network is what will really make the difference in the day to day lives of millions of western suburbs families.
“The minister admitted last week that ‘buses are the poor cousin’ in Melbourne’s public transport, and this announcement today proves that Labor still aren’t taking buses seriously as the low cost, high impact transport solution they are.”
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