The upgraded Route 800 bus between Dandenong and Chadstone, which was upgraded in November of last year, has proven to be an instant hit with passengers, showing a 200 per cent rise in Saturday usage.
Launched on November 24, the new service restored 7 day service, featuring more Saturday trips and a later finish at night.
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With Saturday patronage exceeding initial thoughts, the Sunday service has also proven popular with over 1100 boardings each week.
Fix Dandy Buses group convenor Peter Parker says these results demonstrate the power of more frequent seven day bus services on direct routes to attract passengers.
“Prior to the new timetable Route 800’s operating hours were limited with gaps of up to two hours on Saturday and no service on Sunday,” Parker says.
“The new timetable introduced a 30 to 40 minute weekend frequency on both days with a much wider span of hours.
“High usage was noted from the first week, with passengers keen to save time and money with the improved service.”
Parker praised the state government for upgrading the Route 800 bus and the community for jumping on board, saying now is the time to upgrade other popular routes such as 802, 804 and 814.
The community will know if more Dandenong bus routes will be upgraded when the state government hands down its budget on Tuesday May 20.
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