The Better Buses for the West campaign welcomes the commitment from Labor and Liberal to construct the second stage of Melbourne Airport Rail to Keilor East as a sign that the major parties are recognising the infrastructure challenges in the West.
While this project is a stepping stone towards completing Airport Rail, the opening of Keilor East Station standalone by 2031 provides a significant opportunity to improve transport access and opportunity, particularly in the premier's seat of Niddrie.
However, this opportunity will not be fully taken without significant bus reform.
Keilor East station has a small walking catchment area, and expensive park and ride facilities will fill up in the early morning - the only way people will be able to get to this new station will be by bus.
It is vital that the next government includes bus reform as an integral component of Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2, including frequent connections to Highpoint, Airport West, Niddrie and Keilor.
"Only through a fast, connected and frequent grid of buses will get people from their homes to the new Keilor East Station," says Sustainable Cities spokesperson Sarah Deng.
Looking forward to the completion of the full airport rail, bus connections are also critical to making full use of the Airport Rail. Planes leave Melbourne 24/7 yet so many bus routes across the West are only usable 9 to 5, 5 days a week.
"An expensive airport train with usable bus connections only 5 days a week is an airport train that most people across the western suburbs won't be able to use" says Sustainable Cities spokesperson Adam Bain. "Providing infrastructure without bus services is like walking away with money still left on the table."
