Petition Bus route 526

Issue:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly the need for an improved service on bus route 526, which runs in Coburg and Coburg North, terminating in Reservoir. Bus route 526 does not run on Sundays and finishes early on Saturdays. On weekdays, the service runs every 30 minutes, and the last bus leaves the Coburg terminus at 7.43 pm. The Reservoir terminus does not connect with either the nearby route 11 tram, nor nearby train stations on the Mernda line. Buses provide the only public transport to the Newlands Estate and Coburg Hill. Bus route 526 has not seen any improvements to its timetable, despite significant growth in the area over many years. The absence of Sunday bus services also limits opportunities for shopping, work and social activities for residents who do not drive a car. Census data shows a significantly higher proportion of zero car households in the Newlands Estate compared with the surrounding area.

Action:

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly calls on the Government to improve services on bus route 526 by extending operating hours to at least 9.00 pm every day, increasing the frequency to at least every twenty minutes, connecting the route to the Darebin tram and/or train services, and introducing Sunday Services.