Infrastructure Victoria has today released a new report looking into ways to improve Melbourne’s bus network to suit the city’s growing transport needs.
The report, Fast, frequent, fair: how buses can better connect Melbourne, applies new research from the state’s independent infrastructure adviser to apply an improved bus network to under-serviced outer growth areas of Melbourne.
The report makes 10 recommendations to the Victorian government prioritising actions and investment for reforming the city’s bus network, including immediately increasing the frequency of bus services, starting with outer and growth area suburbs.
“More than a third (34 per cent) of Melburnians have never caught the bus, even though eight out of 10 (82 per cent) of us live within 400 metres of a bus stop,” Infrastructure Victoria acting CEO Dr Allison Stewart says.
“Unless they live in areas near train and tram corridors, most Melburnians must rely on a slow and patchy bus network. Average wait times for buses are about 40 minutes during a typical weekday and 50 minutes on Sundays.
“Faster and more frequent bus services, longer operating hours and routes which better connect to train stations and activity centres can give more people access to good public transport, reduce traffic congestion, and cut Victoria’s transport emissions.
“Melbourne’s growth suburbs in particular need good public transport now and buses are the best way to deliver it.
“Buses can take a lead role in Melbourne’s transport network. We can straighten out bus routes, make sure buses don’t get stuck in traffic, operate them for longer hours and better connect them to other public transport services.”
The 10 recommendations include:
- Increasing the frequency of bus services, beginning with outer and growth area suburbs
- Optimising the bus network through fast and direct routes
- Extending operating hours to match passenger demand and improve timetable integration
- Strengthening the role of community transport across the network
- Speeding up buses through on-road priority and smarter technology
- Planning and delivering bus rapid transit across Melbourne
- Improving the bus stop and interchange experience
- Substantially reducing bus fares relative to other modes
- Updating the Principal Public Transport Network to align it with existing and future mass transit bus routes to be delivered through Victoria’s bus plan
- Providing funding certainty for growth area buses
The main recommendation out of the report also relates to delivering a network of bus rapid transit corridors across Melbourne over the next five years.
“Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide have already embraced bus rapid transit and similar fast bus services,” Stewart says.
“A rapid transport network of separated bus lanes across Melbourne could deliver more than 80,000 extra boardings every day. That’s more than the total number of passengers that take a train from Flinders Street station every day.”
Stewart says bus infrastructure for this network could be built quicker than rail projects and cost 70 to 80 per cent less.
Stewart says changes to the city’s bus network are needed as Melbourne’s population grows.
“Everyone on the road is slowing down. Melburnians face almost a 50 per cent increase in road congestion by 2036 if we don’t make changes to how we get around, including giving people more options to choose public transport where they can,” Stewart says.
“Melburnians told us that they would be more likely to use a bus if bus fares were cheaper. Our community research shows every $1 reduction in bus fares leads to up to 20 per cent more boardings.
“While Melbourne is likely to remain a car dependent city, a fast, frequent and better-connected bus network is better than being stuck in traffic. New bus lanes can make journeys faster, more than doubling bus patronage along key corridors.”
The report says the government currently spends more than $800 million operating the metropolitan bus network, despite buses carrying fewer passengers than any other form of public transport.
“If we reform and invest in our bus network, we will have much better public transport, and a network that delivers much better value to Victoria,” Stewart says.
“People will have more choices for travel which could save them money, and buses will be a better choice for many more Melburnians.”
The research is focused on Melbourne bus services and doesn’t encompass regional Victorian networks.