Petition More services for bus route 506

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the absence of Sunday services on bus route 506 between Moonee Ponds, Brunswick and Westgarth. Bus route 506 also finishes early on Saturday, with the last Saturday service leaving Moonee Ponds at 6.00 pm.

Buses provide the only east-west public transport in Melbourne's inner north. Bus route 506 connects people to shops and services at Moonee Ponds, Sydney Road, Lygon Street and Westgarth. Local demographics are mixed, and housing density is increasing.

Bus route 506 once had a Sunday service, but this was cancelled in the 1970s or 1980s. Sunday trading has since become widespread and there is now high weekend traffic and parking congestion. However, the Sunday service on the 506 bus was not restored. Usage of a restored Sunday service is likely to be high. A significant proportion of residents and visitors use public transport across the week. On an average boardings per hour basis, bus route 506 is Melbourne’s busiest six-day bus route with its Saturday usage higher than all but a few seven-day routes. Analysis has shown that Saturday usage is a good indicator of potential Sunday ridership.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to restore Sunday services on bus route 506 and extend operating hours to at least 9.00 pm, seven days a week.