The PTUA Outer East Branch meeting is currently held on the second Tuesday of each month. The meeting for June however, consisted of a forum to discuss the opportunities that exist due to the expiration of the existing Metropolitan bus contracts in 2007.
The new contracts and the possibly of an improved funding arrangements from the State Government would finally ensure a comprehensive, frequent and readily accessible bus network that the people of Melbourne both deserve and require.
Just $60 million per annum (this figure excludes any increased revenue) is required to provide a bus network that will ensure improved patronage and the realisation of increased public transport modal share, through providing a frequent network of bus services.
To help stimulate discussion on the issue of bus route reform and the new bus contacts the PTUA Outer East Branch organised a round-table workshop consisting of the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS), Environment Victoria (EV), local council representatives and bus operators.
A cohesive approach is required to ensure that the two-thirds of Melbourne currently without readily available public transport will finally be provided with services that inspire confidence in Melbourne’s public transport network.
The future potential for patronage growth in public transport will depend on improving bus service operating spans and frequencies.
Where do you get your $60 million a year from? Has there been a study on this issue, if so, could you please let us know where we can get a copy of it?
Hi Joel,
The figure of $60 million recurrent expenditure per annum is the researched figure from the Bus Association of Victoria (BAV).
This would provide a two-tiered bus network with primary services operating every 15 minutes along main roads from 5am to midnight seven days a week. As well as a second tier of bus routes which would service residential areas away from main roads (these would operate roughly every 30 minutes through to at least 8pm).
The Department of Infrastructure also produced a plan known as ‘Bus Plan’ which included a lot of these recommendations.
Bus Plan despite being at the time a key component of Melbourne 2030 was never released. The Metropolitan Transport Plan released November 2004 includes a much diminished version of this plan.
In terms of retrieving a copy of this research, I suggest you contact the Bus Association of Victoria (BAV).
You can visit http://www.busvic.asn.au or contact (03) 9645 3300.
Thanks,
Alex