The City of Kingston has voiced its priorities for the upcoming Victorian Budget, with better bus services for south-east Melbourne at the top of the list.
The council’s key priority is a seven day 20 minute service on Route 828 between Hampton and Berwick. Service boosts on popular routes 708 and 903, particularly on weekends, were also a priority.
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Bus advocacy group Fix Dandy Buses convenor Peter Parker says that a Route 828 upgrade would particularly benefit Greater Dandenong destinations and jobs including the Cheltenham Rd corridor, Parkmore Keysborough and Dandenong CBD.
There would also be gains for Kingston and Casey destinations including Southland, Moorabbin DFO, Doveton and Fountain Gate.
“As the area’s most important direct east-west bus route the 828 deserves more than one bus every 40 minutes on Saturdays and one bus every 60 minutes on Sundays,” Parker says.
“Route 828 already operates every 20 minutes on weekdays so there are sufficient buses to operate an improved service all week”
“The patronage success of the recently upgraded Route 800 on Princes Highway demonstrates the strong appetite Dandenong area residents have for using improved buses on weekends. The 828 has similar prospects.”
Fix Dandy Buses is calling for the Victorian government to “heed the council’s call” and approve more trips on the 828 bus, including a 20 minute weekend frequency and service between at least 6am and midnight.
“Seven day upgrades on other Dandenong area bus routes, including routes 811/812 and 857 which also serve Kingston, are also highly desirable to change lives and save people money,” Parker says.
The City of Kingston is seeking public feedback on this topic to inform a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning later this year, which can be accessed at yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/better-buses-for-kingston.
With last month’s state budget focusing on bus improvements in Melbourne’s north and west, Parker urged residents and adjoining councils to request improved buses from state MPs so that the south-east gets its “fair share” of bus upgrades funded in next year’s pre-election budget.
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