People travelling to key hospital, university, entertainment and business precincts in Carlton and Parkville via North Melbourne train station will have a quicker and more direct route when a new bus link starts next year, Premier John Brumby, announced today.

At North Melbourne train station to inspect progress on the Government’s $38.5 million upgrade project, Mr Brumby said bus route 401 would transport people from North Melbourne station to the University of Melbourne and Parkville hospital area along a unique, two-stop only route.

“This is about giving people commuting in from Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo as well as Melbourne’s north and west an alternative mode of public transport which is quicker and more direct because it means they’ll no longer have to travel through the City Loop,” Mr Brumby said.

“Bus route 401 will be the only route in Victoria to run every three minutes during the morning and evening peaks, transferring up to 1000 passengers an hour and saving commuters at least 10 minutes on current travel times. It also frees up space in the City Loop.

“The new bus service is the next step in this Government’s plan to find new and innovative ways to address crowding, particularly on the metropolitan train network which has experienced unprecedented growth of about 20 per cent over the past two years.”

Bus route 401 will start in March next year, to coincide with the commencement of first semester classes at the University of Melbourne, and operate Monday to Friday from 7am to 7.30pm.

Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky said the bus would run every three minutes during the peak and every six-minutes during off-peak and non-semester times.

“This new bus route will help ease congestion during peak periods by delivering a quick and convenient service,” Ms Kosky said.

“Because passengers will need to have a ticket before boarding the bus the time spent at bus stops will be dramatically reduced. The prepay system will mean passengers can board quickly allowing the buses to run more frequently and on time, which is very important to commuters travelling in peak hour.”

The 401 bus will pick-up passengers at North Melbourne station, run via the Royal Melbourne Hospital to Grattan Street outside the University of Melbourne and then return to North Melbourne station. The university bus stop is also only a short walk from the Royal Women’s Hospital and Lygon Street shops, businesses and eateries.

Mr Brumby today also announced the government’s ‘Early Bird’ free train travel trial on the Sydenham and Frankston lines would start on Monday, October 29.

“Tickets will be available from Wednesday, October 24, which gives people time to prepare and I encourage train passengers on the Sydenham and Frankston lines who can travel off peak to beat the crowds, save money and take advantage of the Early Bird ticket,” Mr Brumby said.

“During each morning peak period, about 150,000 passengers travel on our trains. By encouraging passengers to take earlier trains we hope to spread the peak-hour load across more services.”

The Early Bird trial will provide free travel for passengers travelling inbound, outbound or between stations on the Sydenham and Frankston lines, if their train is scheduled to arrive at its destination by 7am. If successful the Early Bird initiative will be rolled out across the metropolitan train network in 2008.

“We’ve just announced funding of $272 million to bring forward the purchase of eight new, six-carriage trains, which is on top of the 10 trains we’d already ordered,” Mr Brumby said.

“We said public transport was among our top priorities and we continue to work hard to address the challenges.”

The 10xEarly Bird ticket will be available for free from premium stations on the Frankston and Sydenham lines as well as Central Business District (CBD) stations from Wednesday, October 24. Each card will be valid for 10 morning trips.

Ms Kosky said by testing the Early Bird initiative on two very busy train lines the government would be able to accurately assess its effectiveness in shifting the load and the public’s response to it.

“The free Early Bird ticket means a zone 1 and 2 trip scheduled to arrive at its destination by 7am will be free, saving passengers up to $52 a fortnight on the normal cost of a 10x2 hourly Metcard,” Ms Kosky said.

“We estimate a regular traveller using this system could save up to $1100 a year.”