The Victorian Government should introduce more frequent buses that run at least hourly, starting earlier and finishing later all days of the week, starting in Bairnsdale, Warragul and Drouin, the state’s infrastructure advisor finds.
That’s according to Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Dr Jonathan Spear.
“Bus services in these centres are infrequent, indirect and do not connect well to train and coach services. The evidence shows more people use buses when they are more frequent,” he said.For example, bus reform in Torquay saw a 20 per cent increase in passenger numbers with more services and revised routes.
Victoria’s infrastructure strategy 2025–2055, released this week, makes 45 recommendations to the Victorian Government across infrastructure sectors including transport, health, housing, energy, social infrastructure and the environment. It also identifies eight future options for the government to consider.
The updated strategy offers practical, evidence-based advice on the projects, policies and reforms most critical to Victoria’s growth and resilience over the next three decades.
“The government should consult with communities, councils and bus operators to confirm transport needs and then run services to meet them, especially in newer suburbs with no bus services,” Dr Spear said.
Infrastructure Victoria also recommends the government make regional fare zones simpler.
“The regional fare cap reduced prices for long distance trips to Melbourne, but it has little impact on shorter trips between regional cities and towns,” Dr Spear said.
“Reducing the number of regional fare zones will help to lower the cost of these trips. It simplifies fares and reinforces the regional fare cap by providing cheaper travel across regional Victoria.”
Infrastructure Victoria says the government can deliver this when it rolls out the upgraded myki system in regional areas and pair these changes with off-peak fare discounts and service upgrades over time.
“Off-peak discounts are a first step to improving Victoria’s public transport fares,” Dr Spear said.
“This should include cheaper fares for buses at all times, which the government can implement after assessing the impact of off-peak fares.”
