Public Transport advocates call for ‘paradigm shift’ to boost services in Melbourne’s western suburbs

Commuters in the western suburbs wait up to six times longer for public transport, as advocates call for major changes to connect the “forgotten” west.

Commuters in the western suburbs wait up to six times longer for public transport, as advocates call for major changes to connect the “forgotten” west.

The disparity between the east and west is a popular trope, however, new figures show that travellers relying on trains and buses late at night and on weekends have every right to feel hard done by.

A Caroline Springs passenger, in the City of Melton, will wait up to an hour on weekends for a train into the city while a passenger at Nunawading, in the City of Whitehorse, will wait just 10 minutes.

Commuters awaiting a bus at Footscray during major disruptions for the West Gate Tunnel Project in June. Picture: Ian Currie

Both stations are about 21km from the CBD.

Meanwhile, a shift worker from Truganina, in the City of Wyndham, will wait 40 minutes during off-peak periods (weekdays) for a bus while a Doncaster East worker hails a bus every 15 minutes.

The eastside traveller also takes their pick from six SmartBus routes and can catch buses until midnight, while the Truganina worker has none, and cannot rely on buses after 9pm.

Commuters at Caroline Springs wait up to 90 minutes at night as opposed to 20 minutes at Nunawading and Southland. Table: Supplied.

It comes as the state government sidestepped questions over plans to axe new train lines in Melbourne’s west.

Public transport advocate Peter Parker highlighted some of the greatest disparities across Melbourne and called on the government to provide new and more frequent services for booming suburbs in the west.

“Parts of Melbourne with the highest social needs often get the least service, despite those that do run being more heavily used,” Mr Parker said.

“The west has been forgotten when it comes to providing frequent trains and buses.

“No one should have to wait more than 20 minutes for a train or major route buses, unfortunately 40 to 60 minute waits in the west are common at popular times.

“The government has done well with its infrastructure program, however, it must redirect its attention to seven day frequent service to get the most benefits from what it’s built.”

Peter Parker has called for major improvement to bus and trains during off-peak periods in Melbourne's western suburbs. Picture: Supplied

Mr Parker highlighted the urgent need for basic services in new western estates such as Thornhill Park, Mambourin and Mt Atkinson.

It follows major disruptions across Melbourne’s west in June as buses replaced trains to allow work on the West Gate Tunnel.

In June, Herald Sun reporters competed to see who could get into the city fastest during the public transport disruptions.

A bike rider had the shortest route, followed by a motorbike, car, running and then public transport.

A Government spokeswoman said $650m has been allocated to upgrade the Melton line which will increase capacity up to 50 per cent and is part of the government’s plan to run “bigger and better trains through one of Australia’s fastest-growing communities.”

“We’re building big in the West – with major transport projects that will mean more room for more passengers on every rail corridor,” the spokeswoman said.

She confirmed there will be a new bus service between Eynesbury and Melton, making it easier for locals to get around.