The opening of a new bus depot in Melbourne's western suburbs should help deliver more reliable services for metro bus passengers.
Parliamentary secretary for public transport Ros Spence joined representatives from Transdev and Public Transport Victoria (PTV) to open the new Sunshine West Depot today.
Initially, 70 buses will be stabled at the depot, with the capacity to increase to 100 as service demand grows.
Seven routes will operate from the Sunshine West Depot including the 215, 216, 219, 220, 223, 232 and 903.
“The new Sunshine West Depot will ensure drivers have access to better facilities, to continue to get locals safely where they need to go every day,” Spence says.
“We know demand for services is growing, which is why we are upgrading and modernising the network — making it easier to run more reliable services for passengers across Melbourne’s west.”
Sunshine West is one of three new bus depots being constructed as part of a $40 million investment, including Heatherton which is already in operation and Thomastown which will be completed in 2017. The new $13.7 million Sunshine West Depot will house up to 200 staff.
The Victorian Government will invest a further $100 million to improve bus services across Melbourne, and introduce new and expanded routes in growth areas. Plans to integrate bus and rail services more effectively are also underway.