Eastern suburbs bus improvements commence on 13 October 2014

Following suggestions from Member for Mitcham Dee Ryall, Member for Box Hill Robert Clark and Liberal Candidate for Kew Tim Smith who listened to community feedback and fought hard for the restoration of some bus routes, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder today announced that improvements would be made to some Transdev Melbourne eastern suburban bus routes from Monday 13 October 2014.

 

Eastern Freeway bus route 303 (Ringwood North – Melbourne CBD) will be reintroduced, while bus route 271 will be deviated to restore trips to Blackburn streets.  Public Transport Victoria (PTV) will also consider how best to reintroduce a bus route along Kilby Road, East Kew.

 

Mr Mulder said that at community drop in sessions in August, PTV and Transdev staff listened to concerns about what the 27 July 2014 timetable changes meant for individual passengers.

 

“The community feedback indicated that fine tuning of existing bus routes in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs was warranted to help passengers travel to jobs or university in Melbourne’s CBD and the North Carlton area,” Mr Mulder said. 

 

“Route 303’s resumption will reduce crowding at the Middleborough Road and Eastern Freeway on-ramp, also benefiting route 906 and 318 passengers. Route 303 will operate along its previous route and have four peak period morning and afternoon trips on weekdays.”

 

Ms Ryall said that this was great news for local residents.

 

“I am thrilled that my representations on behalf of local residents has assisted bus route 303’s reinstatement,” Ms Ryall said.

 

Mr Mulder said that Mr Clark suggested the rerouting of bus 271.

 

Bus route 271 will be altered to have a similar route as the previous 286 in the Blackburn area along Marchiori Road, Goodwin Street, Elm Street, Fir Street and then onto Blackburn and Box Hill stations, returning via Goodwin Street.  

 

Mr Clark said that the alteration of route 271 would make travelling to school, Blackburn station and Box Hill easier for residents living near Goodwin and Elm Streets. 

 

 

“Pedestrian access across Whitehorse Road to route 901 is difficult. This warranted the Coalition Government’s reconsideration of the July timetable change,” Mr Clark said.

 

Mr Clark said that he was very pleased the Napthine Government was able to work with the local community to devise a solution to better meet residents’ transport needs. 

 

Mr Mulder said that PTV would examine how a Transdev bus route could be reintroduced to Kilby Road, East Kew by April 2015.

 

“Under Melbourne’s existing bus route contracts, this requires negotiation with Ventura,” Mr Mulder said.

 

Mr Smith said that he would continue to liaise with Mr Mulder.

 

“I look forward to working with Mr Mulder to ensure that East Kew residents again have access to a freeway bus route that uses Kilby Road,” Mr Smith said.

 

Information on the revised bus network and timetables will be available atwww.ptv.vic.gov.au and www.transdevmelbourne.vic.gov.au in the coming weeks while passengers may also call PTV daily between 6am and midnight on 1800 800 007.