More weekend services will be added to the popular Dandenong-Chadstone bus route 800, as part of the 2024-\u201925 State Budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dandenong MP and Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams posted on Facebook that the route will get Sunday services and extended services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBuses play an important role in our public transport network, helping to connect Victorians to work, school and each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis Budget builds on our investments in public transport with $29.7 million for better services, helping people get where they need to go faster and more often.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It comes after years of advocacy from the Fix800Bus Alliance \u2013 which gained the support of many Mulgrave by-election candidates in November for a seven-day service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fix800Bus Alliance stated after the budget that it understands the Sunday service, improved Saturday frequency and extended operating hours will be part of the upgrade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alliance convenor Peter Parker said it would improve the lives of thousands along the Princes Highway who will get seven-day buses for the first time in 30-plus years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is reportedly the busiest bus route in Melbourne without Sunday services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRoute 800 operating more frequently seven days is essential for people to get to jobs and opportunities in the Chadstone, Monash and Dandenong areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe look forward to a speedy implementation with wide operating hours and frequent seven-day service as befits a main highway bus route.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, Infrastructure Victoria\u2019s report recommended more weekend services for the 800 route as part of a call for faster and more frequent bus services to major centres and train stations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also recommended more direct links between Endeavour Hills and other activity centres. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
IV also called for buses into Dandenong South\u2019s industrial precinct, including links to Casey-Cardinia and Keysborough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other public transport news from the Budget, final-stage funding for the Metro Tunnel was announced, the Suburban Rail Loop is continuing but the Airport Rail Link has been delayed for four years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen welcomed final-stage funding for the Metro Tunnel. A key question was its level of service when it opens in 2025, he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Metro tunnel is the government\u2019s big chance to bring Melbourne\u2019s rail system into the 21st century, and provide it with the all-day frequent services our growing city needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we get a shiny new tunnel but most people around the metro network are still waiting 20, 30, 40 minutes for a train, it will be a huge missed opportunity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Government announced the Suburban Rail Loop East section between Cheltenham and Box Hill was expected to cost up to $34.5 billion \u2013 including 11.8 billion from state funding. The latter was hoped to be matched by federal funding, and the rest of the funding from \u201cvalue-capture sources\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transport infrastructure opposition spokesperson Craig Southwick said the Governmennt had hidden an up-to-$6.9 billion cost blowout on the SRL East project, with early works suffering a nine-month delay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInstead of being transparent with Victorians over their latest multi-billion-dollar cost blowout, Labor has buried the true cost of the SRL and cut or delayed other desperately needed rail projects to pay for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPremier Jacinta Allan continues to put all our eggs in one basket, and communities across western Melbourne, growth corridors and regional Victoria continue to pay the price.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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