State election: Greens propose bus blitz for east

Buses running every 10 minutes with free wi-fi and phone chargers are part of an ambitious plan by the Greens to get cars off the roads in Melbourne’s east — and they say it could be in place by 2020.

The Greens want Myki readers at bus stops. Picture: David Crosling

The Greens have proposed an overhaul of the bus network in Melbourne’s east to cut the number of cars on the roads — and they say it could be in place by 2020.

Their ‘Eastern Metro Rapid Bus Network’ would introduce 11 new routes and buses equipped with free Wi-Fi and USB chargers.

Eastern Metropolitan state Greens MP Samantha Dunne said buses would run more frequently, and would better connect services and facilities across the east.

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She said a new service would link Mitcham and Vermont with Knox City.

“Buses will have a 10-minute frequency on weekdays and a 15-minute frequency on weekends,” Ms Dunne said.

The buses would be smoother and quieter than the current ones, and Myki readers would be at bus stops to speed up boarding.

More bus lanes would be added and buses would get priority signalling.

The Greens want Myki readers at bus stops. Picture: David Crosling

She said the network could be rolled out within 18 months and would cost $1.63 billion over 10 years.

“This is one tenth of the cost of the North East Link toll road.”

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said Labor had delivered $200 million in better bus networks.

“Labor will also build Melbourne’s first dedicated busway as part of North East Link,” she said.

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Opposition for Public Transport spokesman David Davis said under Labor, violence had risen on buses and the network had deteriorated.

He said an elected Coalition government would post PSOs at key bus interchanges.

“The Liberal Nationals will release further statements on bus policy prior to the election which will emphasise the importance of our bus network.”