Ten opportunities for better bus services in metropolitan Melbourne - Peter Parker melbourneontransit.blogspot.com - Edunity
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Ten opportunities
for better bus services
in metropolitan Melbourne
Peter Parker
melbourneontransit.blogspot.com
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE KILOMETRES PER CAPITA
HAS FALLEN EACH YEAR SINCE 2012
BRACKS BRUMBY BAILLIEU NAPTHINE ANDREWS
https://www.governmentnews.com.au/melbourne-transport-fails-
to-keep-pace-with-population-boom/ Source: Prof Graham Currie
2
3
A recent service upgrade in Melbourne’s south-east boosted a
quiet route to the exclusion of busier, more deserving routes
Busy route with Popular Chadstone –
no major Princes Hwy – Dandenong
upgrades for ~30 route with buses every 2
years hours Sat PM & no Sunday
Very quiet route service. Same timetable for
with major 7-day ~30 yrs.
upgrade in May
2020
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Ten cost-effective bus upgrades
1. Deakin Uni – Box Hill express shuttle every 10 min
2. Highpoint – VU - Footscray every 10 min
3. Heidelberg – Coburg northern orbital every 10 min
4. Orbital SmartBus rerouting via Highpoint
5. Eastern SmartBus to La Trobe Uni (rerouted 903)
6. SRL SmartBus: Melbourne Airport – Doncaster (rerouted 902)
7. SRL SmartBus: Cheltenham - Box Hill portion (upgraded 733, 737, 767)
8. SRL SmartBus: Sunshine – Melbourne Airport (new route 500)
9. La Trobe University – Caulfield (new route 620)
10. 22 quick wins for 2022
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1. Deakin Uni – Box Hill express shuttle every 10 min
Current: Two infrequent Proposed: Simple and
routes, do not meet frequent Route 201 service
trains every 10 min Improved
Uneven connections
with trains every 15 connections
min with trains,
trams and
BOX BOX buses
HILL HILL
201 every
20 min 201 upgraded
Merge resources of
201 and 768 and
turn up & go
768 every add 1 bus to every 10 min
40 – 60 min provide frequent
combined service More like other
uni shuttles
DEAKIN DEAKIN
UNI UNI
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2. Highpoint – VU – Footscray every 10 min
Current: Two less frequent Proposed: Simple and
routes, more complex 406 every 20 frequent Route 406 service
min beyond every 10 min
Highpoint
HIGHPOINT
HIGHPOINT
406 every Merge resources
409 rerouted to
20 min of 223 and 406 to retain coverage
provide frequent
combined service
on straightened
406 alignment
VU VU Need bus
priority
measures
223 every 406 every
15 min 10 min
FOOTSCRAY
FOOTSCRAY
Poorly used
223 deleted
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3. Heidelberg – Northland – Preston – Coburg northern orbital every 10 min
Proposed: Parts of Routes 527 and 903 merged to
form new 904 between Heidelberg, Coburg and
beyond
Current: Route 527 every 20
min, 903 every 15 min with
limited weekend service
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4. Highpoint orbital SmartBus Proposed: Route 903 rerouted via Highpoint to
provide improved connection from north and
Sunshine (*) (*) Also applies to proposed
Route 406 extended to replace Route 904 – see elsewhere
Route 903 to Sunshine
Route 465 extra trips for
longer operating hours and
ST ALBANS
Route 407
20 min Sunday frequency.
extended to
Current: Route 903 serve area
currently duplicates 465 on Duplicative Route
903 rerouted ESSENDON
Buckley St, leaving
Route 468
Highpoint without a deleted
SmartBus or 7 day service
from all directions. Extended
Route 406 Route 408
Highpoint was to get the replaces 903 replaced by 903
HIGHPOINT
Blue orbital SmartBus but
this did not proceed.
SUNSHINE
Route 408 Route 903 rerouted
shortened to from Buckley St to run
operate to via Highpoint and
Sunshine only. Braybrook replacing
468 and part of 408. FOOTSCRAY
DELIVERING SRL SMARTBUS SERVICES TODAY
BRINGS FORWARD SRL’S BENEFITS BY YEARS
FOR LITTLE ADDITIONAL COST.
• 7 SRL SmartBus routes serve 12 of the 15 proposed
stations. Services will operate frequently all day from
early morning to late at night.
• Most proposed SmartBuses are upgrades or extensions
of already popular existing routes, reducing costs and
implementation difficulties.
• Early delivery can influence location and business
SMARTBUS decisions to build trust and patronage that prepares the
ground for SRL rail services.
• Operating costs are a small proportion of total SRL
project cost yet deliver project benefits decades sooner.
Introduction can be staged as budgets allow. 105. 903 orbital SmartBus to La Trobe University Proposed: Buses every 15
minutes operating directly
Current: Difficult access from from La Trobe to Heidelberg,
La Trobe University to Doncaster, Box Hill &
eastern suburbs south of the beyond. Replaces infrequent
Yarra. Requires non- 551.
coordinated connection Route 903 extended
between Route 551 and 903 to LaTrobe University
at Heidelberg.
LA TROBE UNI partly funded from
deleting Route 551
Delivers improved buses
as precursor to SRL
Existing Route 903 to Route 903 to
Altona. Replaced by HEIDELBERG Doncaster, Box Hill,
more frequent Route Oakleigh, Mordialloc
904 in Proposal 3.6. SRL SmartBus: Formed by swapping 901 with 902 orbitals
Route 901 and 902
swapped between
Greensborough and
Templestowe
Route 901 and 902
swapped west of
Gladstone Park
Route 902 becomes similar
to SRL between Melbourne
Airport and Doncaster
901 and 902 swap speeds travel between Doncaster
Shoppingtown, Greensborough and Melbourne
Airport while avoiding a change of bus7. SRL SmartBus: Upgrade busy routes 733, 737 & 767 to SmartBus
Upgrade 733 to SmartBus
standard between Box Hill and
Clayton. Extend to Southland
and potentially Sandringham.
Box
Hill
Bus routes 733 and 767 are the
Bus 733 services most like the SRL. Two
of Melbourne’s busiest routes,
Knox City each carrying over 1 million
passengers / year, both run
Upgrade 767 to SmartBus between Deakin U only every half hour during the
day on weekdays.
Box Hill and Chadstone. Potential Bus 767 Bus 737
Southland extension via East
Boundary & Chesterville roads. Chadstone
Monash U
Sandringham Clayton
Westall
Upgrade 737 to SmartBus
Cheltenham/
standard to Knox City.
Southland Optional extension to Westall.
https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/suburban-rail-loop8. SRL SmartBus: Sunshine – Melbourne Airport Route 500
Current: People can run faster than current Proposed: Limited stops bus
public transport services between Sunshine to fill missing gap between
and Melbourne Airport. Sunshine and Melbourne
Airport as a precursor to rail.
MELBOURNE Would improve connections
AIRPORT
from much of Melbourne’s
west including Watergardens,
Melton, Tarneit, Altona North
and regional areas including
Geelong and Ballarat.
Route 500 every 20
min (limited stop)
Requires bus purchases but
would establish travel patterns
SUNSHINE
ahead of airport rail. 149. La Trobe University – Caulfield Route 620
LA TROBE UNI Proposed: New simpler and more frequent
north-south route connecting eight railway
lines, numerous trams, three universities and
Current: Major north-south supporting the Suburban Rail Loop at
‘missing link’ between La Trobe Caulfield.
University and Caulfield. IVANHOE
Current services provided by
infrequent and complex routes
548 and 624. Route 620 replaces 548 and
624 between La Trobe
University and Caulfield.
AUBURN Service every 15 – 20 min.
Improved connections Most resources from
to three universities: merging 548 and 624 but
La Trobe Bundoora TOORONGA
some new buses needed for
Swinburne Glenferrie
the improved frequency.
Monash Caulfield
CAULFIELD10. 22 quick wins for 2022
The following upgrades involve timetable changes, not requiring extra bus vehicles or public consultation.
Consequently, they can be done quickly at low cost. Some are small parts of changes listed previously.
Route Initiative Why it’s good Districts
201 Box Hill – Deakin University Merge with 768 to boost 201 frequency Creates simpler and more frequent university shuttle between Box Hill Box Hill, Burwood
from every 20 to evey 12-15 min and Deakin Burwood campus. Very low cost.
270 Box Hill – Mitcham Add new Sunday service, extend weekend Serves major shopping centre. Very high weekday and Saturday usage. Box Hill, Ringwood
operating hours to 9pm
279 Box Hill – Doncaster Boost Sunday service to every 30 min and Busy route serving two major shopping centres. Very high Sunday usage Box Hill, Bulleen
extend Saturday service to 9pm with existing hourly service. Saturday currently finishes early.
281 Templestowe – Box Hill Add new Sunday service Improve weekend access to hospital area and Box Hill. High weekday Box Hill, Bulleen
and Saturday usage.
251 City – Northland Extend weekend operating hours to 9pm Better service on popular local route to CBD and major shopping Richmond, Northcote,
centre. Current timetable has early finish, especially Sundays. Preston
284 Box Hill – Doncaster Park & Add new Sunday service Connects to popular shopping area and transit hubs. Few north-south Box Hill, Bulleen
Ride routes in area have Sunday service. Good Saturday usage.
404 Footscray – Moonee Ponds Add new Sunday service, extend operating Better connections to dense residential area (Kensington Banks). Melbourne, Footscray,
hours Fastest and most direct Footscray to Moonee Ponds connection. Essendon
406 Footscray – Keilor East Increase Sunday service to every 20-30 min Serves busy Highpoint and Footscray area. Very high usage on existing Niddrie, Footscray
40 min service.
431 Yarraville – Kingsville Upgrade Route 431 to operate 7 days with New 7 day service to Kingsville. Longer operating hours with simpler Williamstown
432 Yarraville – Newport longer hours. Timetable change for 432. timetables that better match demand. Very low cost.
472 Williamstown – Moonee Minor rerouting to Williamstown’s main Better access to Williamstown shops. Improved early evening service. Williamstown, Footscray,
Ponds street. More even weeknight service. Earlier Sunday alteration better suits demand (higher usage Sunday mornings Essendon
Sunday start and finish. than late Sunday evenings). Very low cost.Route Initiative Why it’s good Districts
503 Essendon – East Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm Significant catchment without 7 day service. Essendon, Brunswick
Brunswick Connects numerous tram and train lines.
506 Moonee Ponds - Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm One of Melbourne’s busiest routes without a Essendon, Brunswick, Northcote
Westgarth Sunday service. Low car ownership catchment.
536 Glenroy - Gowrie Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm One of Melbourne’s most popular routes without Pascoe Vale, Broadmeadows
Sunday service. Low income catchment.
612 Chadstone – Box Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm Better access to jobs and shopping at important Box Hill, Burwood, Malvern
Hill centres (Chadstone and Box Hill).
693 Oakleigh – Belgrave Upgrade interpeak to every 20 minutes, weekend to every 30 – 40 Main road route through poorly serviced part of Oakleigh, Mulgrave, Rowville,
minutes on portion between Oakleigh and Ferntree Gully Knox. Ferntree Gully
733 Box Hill – Oakleigh Boost Saturday afternoon and Sunday frequency to every 30 min on Highly patronised route with strong catchment and Box Hill, Burwood, Forest Hill,
Box Hill – Clayton portion. connections to jobs and education. Existing hourly Mount Waverley, Oakleigh, Clarinda
Sunday service is extremely busy.
Upgrade interpeak service to every 15 or 20 min on Box Hill – Clayton
portion
788 Frankston – Portsea Upgrade weekend frequency from 70-80 to every 30 minutes with Addresses weekend crowding on Mornington Nepean, Mornington, Frankston
earlier am start Peninsula main route (especially in summer)
800 Chadstone – Add new Saturday pm and Sunday service, extend operating hours to Melbourne’s most important and busiest route Malvern, Oakleigh, Clarinda,
Dandenong 9pm without Sunday service. Access to many jobs. Large Mulgrave, Dandenong
low income catchment.
804 Chadstone - Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm Access to many jobs and major shopping centres. Malvern, Oakleigh, Clarinda,
Dandenong Large low income catchment. Mulgrave, Dandenong
814 Dandenong – Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm High existing Monday – Saturday patronage. Large Keysborough, Clarinda, Mulgrave,
Springvale South low income catchment. Dandenong
885 Glen Waverley - Add new Sunday service, extend operating hours to 9pm High existing patronage. Large low income Clarinda, Mulgrave, Mt Waverley
Springvale catchment.
900 Caulfield – Stud Boost weekend service from every 30 to every 20 min Very well used route to Chadstone with weekend Malvern, Oakleigh, Mulgrave,
Park crowding RowvilleOur marginal seats
As well as bus upgrades,
there are large political
benefits in improving
off-peak trains to every
10 min to Ringwood, 20
min to Belgrave and
Lilydale.
A detailed list of potential upgrades
for each marginal seat appears on
melbourneontransit.blogspot.comConclusions We can cheaply have buses every 10 minutes in some areas by merging overlapping routes Scope exists to expand SmartBus to key destinations eg shopping centres and universities Can start getting SRL and Airport Rail benefits many years earlier with improved buses to ‘prepare the ground’ Many local upgrades, such as improved operating hours and frequency, possible without buying new buses Buses are quick to roll out but may still have a >2 year lead time. With government fully committed on infrastructure and an election in 2022, the time is right for local government to advocate for better buses.
Questions and Answers
Further information
Melbourne on Transit blog: melbourneontransit.blogspot.com
Twitter: MelbOnTransit
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