Community members from Melbourne’s western suburbs have gathered with local and state government representatives to query why the west is still waiting for better buses.
The event was organised by the Sustainable Cities collective at Friends of the Earth and the Point Cook Action Group.
A range of community speakers as well as political representatives spoke at the event, including Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam, member for Melton Stephen McGhie and Wyndham City Council member Peter Maynard.
Friends of the Earth says Melbourne’s west has some of the worst public transport access across Melbourne despite having growing populations in areas such as the City of Wyndham.
Recent years have seen the voice for better bus services in Melbourne’s west grow, with community actions, forums and local councils calling on the Victorian government to act on its better bus plan.
Friends of the Earth says since the bus plan was released more than 1000 days ago, communities across the west have been left waiting for a state government commitment to reform bus services.
“With the delays to Melbourne Airport rail, cancellation of the Commonwealth Games, two former public transport ministers in leading positions of state government and a new active and public transport minister, we’re hopeful that 2024 will be the year that we finally see some funding for bus reform in the upcoming state budget,” Sustainable Cities spokesperson Elyse Cunningham says.
“The Victorian government has been sitting on this plan for more than 1000 days now. Now is the time for them to prove that they can take action.”