Western Metropolitan Region Bus Services | Adjournment & Response

Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan) (21:35:15): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Public Transport, the Honourable Melissa Horne. I am delighted that the Andrews Labor government has worked diligently to provide good, reliable and much-needed services that will connect commuters in my electorate to schools, work and many lively hubs in the local area. Residents in Burnside Heights have been asking for bus services, and I understand that one of the factors that could enable bus services for Burnside Heights is the opening of the Westwood Drive bridge. Currently bus route 426 is scheduled to be adjusted to service Westwood Drive. The route realignment would bring services into the area and connect residents to Caroline Springs Square and trains on the Sunbury rail line. This realignment would add to the Caroline Springs bus network upgrade, delivered in three stages over 2016 and 2017. As a government we are doing what we said and delivering for all Victorians. The action I seek from the minister is for the minister to request the relevant department to communicate these benefits to local residents to ensure they are able to utilise this new service to its full advantage.

RESPONSE

Ms HORNE (Williamstown—Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Public Transport) (13 August 2019): I am pleased to confirm that Burnside Heights residents now have better access to bus services due to the realignment of bus route 426. Route 426 was introduced in November 2017 as part of the Caroline Springs bus network upgrade (phase B) to improve frequency, coverage and connections with trains on the Sunbury Line. The route operated express without stopping between Rockbank Middle Road / Westwood Drive and the Caroline Springs Square shopping centre while the Westwood Drive bridge was under construction. On 19 May 2019, Route 426 was realigned to its permanent route path to travel via the new bridge on Westwood Drive. Residents of Burnside Heights can now access Caroline Springs Town Centre, Albion Station and Sunshine Station by public transport, using new stops installed on Westwood Drive. Residents have been informed about the improved service in a variety of ways.

A customer information and marketing campaign commenced in mid-April 2019 including:

  • release of printed timetables (distributed by local bus operator Transdev and available from the PTV Call Centre)
  • digital timetables available on the PTV website
  • installation of posters on-board buses
  • service change information on the PTV website
  • the change was promoted by the Member for Kororoit via media release and social media on 31 May 2019
  • Transdev has also communicated this change via its website and social media channels.

This information campaign will ensure locals are well-informed about the improved bus services now available to them around Caroline Springs and Burnside Heights.