Ms Kosky said the reviews would assess the effectiveness of bus services in meeting community needs, by directly consulting with the local community.

“The reviews are part of a comprehensive three-year program being undertaken by the Brumby Government to improve bus services in Melbourne’s growing suburbs,” Ms Kosky said.

Local residents, bus operators and councils will all be consulted as part of the review.

“No one knows what people want from their local bus services better than the people who live and work in the area, which is why this review is structured around public consultation,” she said.

“The feedback from the community will be used as the basis for improvements to local bus services, which could include longer hours of operation, more frequent services or extended routes, introducing new routes or restructuring existing ones, and improving linkages with connecting trains.”

The Department of Transport (DOT) will conduct public workshops to discuss local bus services. DOT will also accept written submissions from individuals and groups.

Since 2006, bus services in the Bayside / Kingston area have already been boosted with 1521 extra services each week.

These bus reviews are part of the Brumby Government’s transport blueprint, Meeting Our Transport Challenges, in which $650 million was committed to improving local bus services.

“I encourage people who want to have their say on the make up of future bus services in the area to participate in the workshops or make a submission,” Ms Kosky said.

Information on the timing of the Bayside / Kingston bus service review will be published in local newspapers and at www.transport.vic.gov.au/buses in the lead up to the review beginning.