Melbourne's West needs Better Buses to provide a 'Funnel to the Metro Tunnel'
The Allan Labor Government today announced that the 2025/26 Victorian Budget will include an investment of almost $5 billion in a public transport blitz to amplify rail capacity in the west, including $727 million to operationalise the Metro Tunnel (or "Munnel" as the enthusiasts are calling it) delivering turn-up-and-go services for the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines that run through it.
The opening of the Metro Tunnel will provide new connections and greater service frequencies for users across the train network. However, these positive benefits will not be shared with residents living in suburbs not serviced by trains. For tens of thousands living in Melbourne's north west suburbs, train station car parks are already full by 7am, making new high capacity Metro Tunnel trains inaccessible for suburban commuters.
A fast, frequent and connected bus network in Melbourne's west is the solution for providing these commuters with reliable access to stations across the Sunbury line, eliminating the need for extra car trips or car park upgrades, and to provide 'a funnel to the Munnel'.
"For the full benefits of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel to be felt, the Sustainable Cities Collective calls on the Victorian State Government to reform the bus system in the western suburbs to give residents better access to the Sunbury line," said Sustainable Cities spokesperson Elyse Cunningham.
"There is no point spending lots of money on rail upgrades if the access to the station is limited only to those who live within walking distance of the line, or have the means to drive to the station. A reformed bus network across the west which is fast, frequent and connected to important destinations such as train stations and shopping centres will ensure the transformational impacts of the Metro Tunnel project are equitably shared across the community."
"Our ultimate message is that we need better buses to provide a 'funnel to the Metro Tunnel'," said Ms Cunningham.
Buses still the "poor cousin" of public transport in Melbourne, trains lack connectivity between local activity centres
The government's announcement also included much-needed service improvements on the Werribee line, and contributions towards a new Sunshine super-hub to facilitate the airport rail development - but there was a big hole in Labor's western suburbs transport plan - buses.
While increased train capacity helps commuters in and out of the city, most Western Suburbs residents have no reliable options for getting to local activity centres, the shops or train stations without a car.
"A fast, frequent and connected bus system is what will really get people moving in the west and take cars off the road to reduce congestion. At the moment, families in the western suburbs need two or more cars to get kids to school and parents to the train station. More train services are great, but a transformed bus network is what will really make the difference in the day to day lives of millions of western suburbs families" said Sustainable Cities spokesperson Elyse Cunningham.
"The minister admitted last week that 'buses are the poor cousin' in Melbourne's public transport, and this announcement today proves that Labor still aren't taking buses seriously as the low cost, high impact transport solution they are," said Ms Cunningham.
