URGENT UPDATE: A Dandenong-based advocacy group is urgently calling for significant enhancements to local bus services, highlighting a stark funding disparity compared to other Australian states. FixDandyBuses has revealed that Victoria allocates only $112 per capita for urban bus services, substantially lower than South Australia’s $152, New South Wales’ $171, Queensland’s $200, and Western Australia’s astonishing $263.
The group’s concerns are underscored by the recently released 2022 National Bus Investment Benchmarking discussion paper, which indicates that spending in Melbourne is barely higher than that of smaller capitals like Brisbane and Perth. This raises urgent questions about the adequacy of public transport funding in Victoria.
Peter Parker, a spokesperson for FixDandyBuses, emphasized the critical need for investment in metropolitan bus routes. “Investment in better bus services changes lives and saves people money,” he stated. Parker is calling on the Victorian government to elevate funding levels to match those of other Australian capitals, which would directly benefit the community.
Recently, the Route 800 from Dandenong to Chadstone shopping centre saw improvements, with an upgrade to seven days a week and the addition of 51 services on Sundays and 37 on Saturdays. However, Parker insists that similar enhancements should also be applied to Greater Dandenong’s other bus routes, including 802, 804, 814, 844, 857, and 885. These routes currently lack comprehensive seven-day service, unlike Melton and Werribee, which offer full-week service across all bus lines.
A representative from the Victorian Government responded, emphasizing their commitment to improving public transport. “We have consistently increased the bus operating budget, investing more than $892 million in new and upgraded bus services, resulting in nearly 23,000 additional bus services added to our network,” they stated.
As discussions unfold, the push for a more robust bus service in Dandenong intensifies. Residents and commuters are urged to advocate for these necessary changes, as the pressure mounts on the Victorian government to prioritize public transport funding.
Watch for further developments as this situation evolves. The call for action is clear: better bus services are essential for the community’s livelihood and accessibility.
