Buses

Latest news:

• Public Transport Victoria is carrying out a competitive tender process for the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise, which provides for the operation of approximately 30 per cent of the Melbourne public bus network. Find out more about the Metropolitan Bus Franchise tender process.

• Public Transport Victoria is planning an upgrade to the public transport car park situated on Thompsons Road Bulleen, near the Eastern Freeway. This car park is to be altered to allow for a temporary four-car drop-off point, or ‘Kiss’n’Ride’, for bus passengers travelling into the CBD.For more information, see Kiss’n’Ride on Thompsons Road Bulleen: Have your say

• The new Route 601 express bus service that runs between Huntingdale Station and Monash University has received ongoing funding in the 2012-13 State Budget. For more information, visit budget.vic.gov.au (link opens in a new window)

• On 22 April, more than 140 bus routes across Melbourne had new timetables introduced to improve coordination with trains and expand coverage in growing areas. Check your bus timetable.

• More than 117 million trips were taken on Melbourne’s bus network in 2011, an increase of 15 per cent. Read the media release.

• The Ringwood North section of Route 271 has recently been reviewed and as a result the bus service will continue along its existing route.

• Find out about the proposal to install peak hour bus lanes on Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street at bus lane consultation.

 Metropolitan bus projects include:

• The SmartBus program has been expanded across Melbourne, to include three orbital SmartBus routes and four Doncaster Area Rapid Transit SmartBus routes that run from Manningham to the City.

• VicRoads is introducing a range of bus priority measures on roads around Melbourne, such as bus lanes and priority traffic signals along key routes. For more information, visit vicroads.vic.gov.au (link opens in a new window)

• All vehicles used on regular bus routes are progressively being replaced with modern, low-floor, air-conditioned buses.

• From 2007-10, sixteen Metropolitan Bus Service Reviews looked at the location, performance and effectiveness of metropolitan bus routes to identify how local bus services can be improved.

• The Bus Safety Act 2009 will strengthen regulation to better deal with the expansion of bus services. For more information, visit transport.vic.gov.au (link opens in a new window)

• A range of buses now service Melbourne Airport, including the popular SkyBus, the new SmartBus Route 901, the Frankston and Peninsula Airport Shuttle, the Airport Bus Dandenong and the Airport Bus Eastside. For more information, see airport travel.