The Victorian government has changed bus service networks in Heatherton due to a community push
The Victorian state government has announced buses will continue travelling along Clarinda and Bunney roads following community feedback on proposed changes to Route 631 in Heatherton linked to the permanent closure of part of Old Dandenong Road.
Victorian public transport minister Ben Carroll says a proposal to re-route the 631 service along Springs Road from the end of 2023 has been updated to ensure sections of Clarinda and Bunney roads are still serviced.
The changes follow consultation with the community in March and ensures easy public transport access to Southland Shopping Centre is maintained for residents.
Other network changes will see the 821 route Southland – Clayton via Heatherton discontinued due to service duplication on sections of the route now covered by the revised 631 Southland to Waverley Gardens via Clayton and Monash University. Low patronage of the existing service was another factor in the change.
In return, frequency on Route 631 will be boosted to every 20 minutes during the AM and PM peaks, with Sunday services to start earlier.
“We’re improving public transport across Victoria to improve accessibility and deliver better outcomes for passengers,” Carroll says.
“Through Victoria’s Bus Plan were delivering a modern, productive, environmentally sustainable bus network that increases the number of people choosing to take the bus.”
Changes to the Heatherton bus network are required to accommodate road changes in the area. From mid-2024 Old Dandenong Road between Henry Street and Kingston Road will be permanently closed due to works on the Victorian Government’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL).
The changes to the Heatherton bus network ahead of the permanent closure will also minimise disruptions from temporary closures between Henry Street and Kingston Road from SRL Initial and Early Works, which have already commenced in Heatherton and will continue in 2024.
SRL will deliver a 90km rail line linking every major train service from the Frankston Line to the Werribee Line via Melbourne Airport, better connecting Victorians to jobs, retail, education, health services and each other. Construction of SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill is forging ahead, including work underway in Heatherton, creating hundreds of local jobs.