Over recent months LeadWest has been campaigning for better bus services in Melbourne’s west and has been calling for a major overhaul of the state’s bus network urging State Government to prioritise Melbourne’s west.
LeadWest has met with many local MPs and shared concerns about the need for improved transport services as a high priority for people living in the west. LeadWest highlighted that the west experiences challenges in equitable access to bus services.
LeadWest has welcomed the Allan Government’s recent announcement of a $150 million investment for new bus services across Melbourne’s north, west and south east. Of this $150m investment, $39.7m will be allocated towards new and modified bus routes between Tarneit and Laverton North in the City of Wyndham. Additionally, the new bus connection between Harpley Estate and Cornerstone Estate communities and Wyndham Vale Station, costing $21.4m, will make a positive difference for commuters.
Some new suburbs in Wyndham and Melton have no bus services. This will get much worse with rapid population growth as more people make these suburbs home. Bus routes and service provision has not been adequately scaled up in-line with population and job growth.
LeadWest believes an improved bus network across the west is critical to improving accessibility to a wide range of services. Lack of access to effective public transport increases financial hardship, impairs health and wellbeing outcomes, and reduces people's access to services, community, jobs, education and opportunity.
The benefits from transforming Melbourne’s bus network are comparable to any one of Victoria’s big road and rail projects – and at much less cost.
Whilst this is a great outcome for those living in Wyndham, we will continue our advocacy to ensure that more is achieved for the whole of Melbourne’s west.
LeadWest acknowledges the advocacy from local members ahead of this announcement and also thanks Treasurer Tim Pallas MP Member for Werribee.
Quotes attributable to Councillor Peter Maynard, Acting Chair, LeadWest
“LeadWest welcomes the announcement of $39.7m to be allocated towards new and modified bus routes between Tarneit and Laverton North in the City of Wyndham. Wyndham residents are keen users of the bus network - Wyndham is home to 9 of the top 20 most used bus services across the whole of metropolitan network and we have seen bus patronage continue to go up”
“Rapid growth in Melbourne’s west has left communities without adequate bus services as bus route and service provision has not increased in-line with population and job growth.
“Some new suburbs in Wyndham and Melton have no bus services. This will get much worse as more people make these suburbs home.”
“An integrated and safe bus network provides a viable and cost effective option to private vehicles and will reduce traffic congestion.”
ENDS
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