A public report on the Hobsons Bay/Maribyrnong/Moonee Valley Bus Review, recommended a package of network changes – with a new Route 431, the restructure of five existing bus routes and upgrades to eight other local routes to be complete by Monday 30 June.

“This local bus review was a great success, with residents, bus operators and council representatives all contributing to the discussion on how to improve local bus services in the region,” Ms Kosky said.

“Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley were among the first council areas in Melbourne to undergo a review of local bus services and I am extremely pleased with the level of constructive feedback we received through our public workshops and the submissions were received.

“As a result of this feedback, we are implementing a number of changes to bus services in Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley, which will improve the efficiency and reliability of public transport for local residents.

“I am particularly pleased that these changes will result in improved access to key local facilities and transport interchanges and will ensure the developing area of Edgewater is adequately serviced by the bus network.”

A total of 25 local bus routes were included in the review, covering the suburbs of Aberfeldie, Altona, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Braybrook, Flemington, Footscray, Kingsville, Maidstone, Maribyrnong, Moonee Ponds, Newport, Seaholme, Seddon, Spotswood, Tottenham, West Footscray, Williamstown and Yarraville. 

Ms Kosky said that, following the review, extra services had already been introduced on bus routes 402, 406, 408, 410, 412, 467, 471 and 476 – and further network improvements would commence on Monday 30 June, including:

Route 409 (Yarraville–West Footscray) restructured to link Yarraville with Highpoint Shopping Centre via Footscray.  Bus service introduced to Edgewater Estate.  Services upgraded to extended hours of operation from 6:00am–9:00pm on weekdays, 8:00am–9:00pm on Saturdays & public holidays and 9:00am–9:00pm on Sundays, Christmas Day & Good Friday.

Route 414 (Laverton–South Footscray) restructured to replace part of route 409 and operate via Roberts St and West Footscray providing new two–way bus operation.

Route 415 (Laverton–Williamstown) to provide new off–peak service to Port Phillip Retirement Village.

Routes 429 (Yarraville–Altona East) discontinued as part of the restructure of the local network to provide better coverage.  Services will be provided by Route 432.

Route 430 (Yarraville–Yarraville) discontinued as part of the restructure of the local network to provide better coverage.  Services will be provided by Route 431.

Route 431 (Yarraville–Kingsville) introduced to provide better coverage and two-way bus operation.

Route 432 (Newport–Paisley) restructured to provide better coverage & upgraded to extended hours of operation from 6:00am–9:00pm on weekdays, 8:00am–9:00pm on Saturdays & public holidays and 9:00am–9:00pm on Sundays, Christmas Day & Good Friday.

Route 472 (Williamstown–Moonee Ponds) restructured to run via Geelong Rd & Barkly St Footscray to allow operation of ultra low floor buses.

Ms Kosky said the Hobsons Bay/Maribyrnong/Moonee Valley bus review was part of a program being undertaken by the Brumby Government to improve bus services throughout suburban Melbourne.

“As part of the 10-year, $10.5 billion Meeting Our Transport Challenges action plan, we committed $650 million to improving local bus services across Melbourne,” Ms Kosky said.

“This includes the purchase of new buses, the construction of priority bus lanes and traffic lights to increase the efficiency of bus travel, and the introduction of new services and upgrades to existing services – many of which will be introduced as a result of local area bus reviews.”

Local bus reviews are currently underway in Hobsons Bay/Wyndham, Manningham/Monash/Whitehorse, Cardinia/Casey and Casey/Greater Dandenong.

For more information on the Metropolitan Bus Service Review program, visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/buses