Under Victoria’s new budget handed down this week, the government has planned to keep bus networks moving around the restructuring of metropolitan bus contracts
In the Victorian budget that’s been released this week, the state government has released details on its plans to keep local bus networks growing for communities.
As part of this year’s budget, the Victorian government has committed to delivering more local bus services under its $36 million investment to deliver Victoria’s Bus Plan.
This growth includes extending Maddingley’s Route 433 as well as continuing extended services into Casey and Wyndham.
Under Victoria’s Better Bus Plan, it also intends to commence the transition to zero-emissions buses in new metropolitan bus service contracts from 2025.
“We’ll also strengthen Victoria’s public transport with $11 million to support increased demand for the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) and the continuation of the current MPTP lifting fee paid to drivers for wheelchair accessible vehicle trips,” the Victorian government says.
The Victorian government’s budget will also continue investment into safely transporting goods and materials to support future infrastructure needs, including $47 million to undertake critical maintenance works and another $3.5 million to maintain the Mode Shift Incentive Scheme, encouraging the transfer of freight from road to rail.