The Victorian state government will improve bus connections in Melbourne’s inner east, announcing an increase in services.
Services from Box Hill will be increased and bus routes around Deakin University’s Burwood campus improved as part of a $109 million investment through the Victorian Budget 2022–23.
Extra bus services will also be rolled out across high demand routes from Box Hill to Southland via Deakin University and from Box Hill to Clayton via Monash University.
Public transport minister Ben Carroll says the city’s south-eastern suburbs are growing rapidly and keeping up public transport networks is vital.
“Melbourne’s rapidly growing south-east has become one of the state’s busiest public transport travel corridors and we are improving the public transport network to provide more connected and easier journeys for the community,” Carroll said.
Services around Deakin University will be upgraded with overall improved connectivity from Box Hill, providing easier access and more direct journeys to education and employment.
The upgrades will also support future major rail projects.
Planning for these changes is underway and the timing of the service changes will be provided to the community when this process is completed.
Changes to the bus network across Melbourne’s rapidly growing south-east will support the new, accessible, underground Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) stations at both Box Hill and Burwood, opposite Deakin University.
The new underground station at Burwood will deliver better access to the university, with a pedestrian overpass across Burwood Highway leading directly to the nearby campus.
While passengers at Box Hill will easily and safely move between the bus interchange and the new underground station, which will be one of the busiest and most well-connected stations on the metropolitan network.
Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer has recognised that upgrading the bus network in and around Box Hill is important as it gives resident greater choice.
“We are providing more convenient options for travel for locals and visitors in and around Box Hill – improving access to shops, work and education,” he said.