The premium bus service, which complements Melbourne’s radial train network by linking people in the outer east and south-east with train stations, shopping centres, schools and other major destinations, will provide free travel until Sunday 6 April.

“The Route 901 SmartBus will provide a huge boost to travellers in Melbourne’s outer-eastern and south-eastern suburbs, with direct and frequent connections to Ringwood, Dandenong and Frankston train stations, as well as Knox City and Stud Park shopping centres,” Ms Kosky said.

“SmartBus services will run more often and for longer hours than other bus services. On weekdays, Route 901 will operate every 15 minutes between 6.30am and 9.00pm and every 30 minutes at other times between 5.00am and midnight.

“On Saturdays and public holidays, services will run every 30 minutes between 6.00am and midnight, and between 7.00am and 9.00pm on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

“Thanks to recent road priority works – including dedicated bus lanes, improved traffic signalling at intersections and better bus stops to provide easy access in and out of traffic – SmartBus passengers will also benefit from improved journey times.

“SmartBus really is the smart public transport option for people in the outer eastern and south-eastern corridor. I strongly encourage local residents to take up the two-week challenge and try out the benefits of SmartBus free of charge.”

Accessibility is a key feature of SmartBus stops, with local area maps and stop-specific timetables at all locations. The stops are also safer and are highly visible, because they have been designed to Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) standards.

Low-floor buses are able to ‘meet’ the bus stop at the same level and eliminate a ‘step’ to board the bus. All stops feature tactile surfaces and high contrast colour schemes that are used to meet the needs of people with vision impairment.

In addition, buses along the route have the ability to communicate with their depot during a journey, which allows them to provide real-time travel information to passengers at selected high-use bus stops. Bus-train interchanges also feature real-time information on SmartBus and train arrival times, making journey transitions smoother.

Several SmartBus services – including the Red Orbital from Box Hill to Mordialloc, the Green Orbital from Chelsea to Nunawading, and the Wellington Road SmartBus in the outer east – are already in operation and passenger numbers keep growing as people discover that their local SmartBus is a smarter, more convenient way to travel.

Timetable information can be obtained on the Metlink website at metlinkmelbourne.com.au or by calling 131 638.