Various Victorian MPs for two outer Melbourne electorates have called for buses to be made free, frequent and fair in a bid to revive the state’s public transport network.
Following the move earlier this year from the Queensland government to make Brisbane buses available to use with 50c fares, Victorian MPs now want to introduce the same policy in Melbourne.
Western Metro MP David Ettershank has called on transport ministers to investigate a 12-month trial of free bus services to ease cost-of-living pressures while also reviewing bus networks across the state to identify service gaps.
He will speak to a motion calling for this today.
Ettershank and south-eastern MP Rachel Payne, both of whom are part of the Legalise Cannabis party, says something must be done due to Victoria’s public transport use dropping by 42 per cent from a 2018 peak.
“If Queensland can introduce 50c public transport fares, then Victoria can make buses free for a year – it’s do-able,” Payne says.
In Queensland, Payne says public transport use during the week rose by almost 15 per cent and was up 40 per cent on the weekend after all trip ticket prices were reduced to 50c.
“By making buses free, at least for a year, the government is helping people in a cost-of-living crisis and ensuring this service is actually used. Let’s get bums on seats,” Ettershank says.
According to Infrastructure Victoria, eight out of 10 Victorians live just a short walk to a bus stop, but one in three Victorians have never got on a local bus.
Payne says Victoria’s bus service costs around $200 million per year, but half of Melbourne’s 400 bus routes pick up fewer than 20 passengers per hour.
“Infrastructure Victoria has found that every $1 reduction in bus fares boosts customer numbers by almost 20 per cent – one full bus can take 50 cars off the road,” Payne says.
“Buses are the key to getting people to leave their cars at home.”
Ettershank says sorting out Melbourne’s “convoluted bus network” is a top priority as he says bus routes haven’t been reviewed for more than a decade.
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“Melbourne’s bus services snake around suburbia, it’s akin to getting on a magical mystery tour courtesy of the state of Victoria,” Ettershank says.
“Then there are parts of outer Melbourne with almost no bus services, with infrequent and unreliable services.
“We need buses to take us where we want to go – to service hubs, shopping centres and industrial heartlands, to universities and sports and entertainment precincts.
“The research shows that Melburnians want limited-stopping buses that travel on main roads, like the Sydney services. People will walk twice as far to access reliable, efficient and frequent public transport, and by frequent we mean at least every 15 minutes.”
Payne says that globally, people use frequent services and will walk further to bus stops with regular buses.
“The 2023 Infrastructure Victoria bus report found that people don’t want to take bus services that snake around the suburbs, instead Victoria want limited-stopping buses on main roads, like the Sydney services,” Payne says.
With Victoria’s buses set to transition to emissions free models from next year, Payne says there’s no need to build more infrastructure such as new train stations or laying tram tracks.
With Infrastructure Victoria finding that one in four people want to get rid of their cars but don’t believe there was a viable alternative, Payne wants bus services to become less confusing for Melburnians.
“In our electorates we have areas that are public transport blackspots – services are non-existent or infrequent, such as in the Point Cook–Werribee–Tarneit area, around Springvale-Dandenong, Footscray-Sunshine and north of Craigieburn,” she says.
Payne says bad buses are compelling families in outer suburbs to buy cars, providing a potential financial setback.
“Other people just can’t afford to travel. Bus passengers are less likely to have a drivers’ license and include lots of student and elderly users. Bad buses entrench disadvantage,” she says.
“Better buses mean people save on petrol, cut emissions and have improved community connection. Better buses deliver mums to part-time jobs, seniors to community groups, and university and school students to sports practice.
“Buses are an under-used resource. Better bus routes and frequent, affordable services equates to quality public transport for those who need it. It’s time we got back on buses.”
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