Transforming the bus network in Melbourne’s West would have exponential benefits for communities. Reducing car dependency will lower emissions and pollution whilst improving social equity and human health. There are also a myriad of ways that council and councillors can support their communities to call for bus network improvements, which we have listed below. 

Better Buses can help your community by:

Reducing traffic congestion and car dependence

• Frequent and direct bus routes provide more transport choices: This is essential to enable people to go about their everyday lives whether it be to go to work, drop children at school, visit the GP, do the weekly shopping, catch-up with  family and friends, give young people independence, or attend cultural and sporting events. Every person deserves the chance to move around their neighbourhood and city, without having to use a car.
• Increased bus usage reduces traffic congestion: Studies show that improved bus frequency encourages higher ridership, leading to fewer cars on the road. When Auckland made a record public investment and rolled out a simpler, more frequent, and better-connected bus network between 2016 and 2019, public transport use went up at more than five times the rate of population growth!
• Reducing car dependence can help ease the financial burden on families: Many households in Melbourne’s West are shouldering the costs of running extra cars or paying for Uber and Taxi rides, despite earning lower wages than most, just so they can drop their children at school and get to work on time.
• Bus lanes and priority: Frequent and well-managed bus services can be complemented by dedicated bus lanes and priority signals, further reducing delays and easing road congestion.

Environmental benefits

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Buses can help reduce emissions with each converted car trip having the potential to reduce emissions by up to 82% according to Infrastructure Victoria. 
• Sustainable urban development: A fast, frequent, connected bus network can support sustainable urban growth by promoting higher density development along transport corridors and connecting communities around existing developments. This helps reduce urban sprawl, connect housing with activity centres and preserve green spaces.
• Decreased air pollution: With the state government pledging to commit to zero emissions buses by 2035, buses can provide cleaner and pollution-free travel. This helps councils reduce their emissions. Shopping areas and streets free from diesel fumes make for healthier and more pleasant environments.

Why better buses is a local government issue

• Population growth: Some council areas in Melbourne’s West are the fastest growing in the country.  Many inner city council areas are experiencing growth of medium and high density housing developments, increasing the number of vehicles on roads and strain on parking infrastructure.  A transformed bus network can offer new residents an alternative to cars, reducing car ownership.
• Transport for those who can’t or don’t drive:  Many people in our community, particularly young people, can’t drive. Due to a lack of reliable public transport, they are left without transport options, meaning parents are often required to play the role of ‘taxi driver’ or risk their kids missing out on extra curricular activities, not being able to socialise, or being unsafe getting home from school or work. A frequent, reliable bus system will give everyone more flexibility and independence. 
• Overcoming social isolation: Better public transport options are essential for social inclusion. They ensure that all residents, including those without private vehicles, can access employment, education, essential services and social events.
• Local economic impact: Improved bus services support local businesses by increasing accessibility for customers and employees. Enhanced transport networks can lead to economic growth in local areas.
• Responsibility for public transport: The Victorian Government has responsibility for the public transport network. This means that although councils can’t approve new bus routes or timetable changes, they can play an important role in advocating to the state government on behalf of their residents.
  Some great recent examples of local governments taking a lead on transport advocacy include Melton City Council who created  ‘Moving Melton’, their own integrated transport strategy , or Hume City Council who recently adopted a new Transport Strategy which prioritises providing more equitable and accessible transport choices to residents, workers, and visitors.
• Infrastructure and investment: Local councils are involved in the planning and investment in transport infrastructure. By advocating for frequent bus services, they can help ensure that local transport needs are met and that investments are made in the right areas.

Supporting data and case studies

• Case Study: Auckland’s bus network: When Auckland transformed their bus network to a fast, frequent connected grid, public transport ridership went up at 5 times the rate of population growth!
• Research report - service frequency: Melbourne university researchers Dr. John Stone and Iain Lawrie produced ‘Better Buses for Melbourne’s West’, which highlights the vast improvement that a transformation of the bus network in the west from long, winding, convoluted routes to a fast, frequent and connected grid would have for the community. In Hoppers Crossing, for example, those within 30 minutes of their nearest activity centre would increase by 1155%! 
• Research report - climate impacts: Climate Council’s 2023 report ‘Shifting Gear’ demonstrates the importance of transforming the way we get around our cities in order to reduce transport emissions, improve equity and enable a healthy and safe future for all in our communities.

How Local councillors can support Better buses

A local councillor in Victoria, Australia, can advocate for a better bus network through various strategies:

• Include better buses in State Government lobbying efforts: Engage with state MPs and the Department of Transport to push for bus network transformation to a 10 minute frequency service across Melbourne’s West
• Council resolutions and motions: Introduce and pass motions in the council that call for bus network transformation. This can include formal requests to the state government for funding for better buses.
• Community consultation and surveys: Conduct community consultations and surveys to gather feedback on bus services. This data can be used to build a case for network transformation and present a strong argument to the state government.
• Public campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to highlight the need for better bus services, and the possibility and benefits of network reform. This could include social media campaigns, local media engagement, and public meetings to draw attention to the issue.   Local businesses and schools should also be engaged in the campaign by highlighting the benefits of improved bus services for their employees, customers, and students. This could lead to joint advocacy efforts. Transformational change will need the whole community brought along on the issue.
• Collaborate with other councillors and other councils: Many councillors across the West understand the need for a transformed bus network.  Because a transformed bus system would improve things for councils across Melbourne’s West, collaborating in spaces like LeadWest is a great opportunity to progress advocacy for Better Buses.
• Collaboration with public transport advocacy groups: Collaborating with organisations like Sustainable Cities, Point Cook Action Group, Better West and other local groups, can add weight to the council's efforts.
• Local transport strategies: Ensure that the council's transport strategy includes strong support for an improved bus network. This should link in with other initiatives to increase transport choices, for example actions to improve infrastructure for other sustainable modes such as walking and cycling.  

These are just some of the reasons why Melbourne’s West would benefit from better buses now. Click here to take the pledge, stand up for your community, and call on the state government to provide better buses for the west.