Yarra Valley residents are embracing their new bus network after its first 11 months in place, with more than 40,000 additional trips taken since the Allan Labor Government introduced better services across the region.
Weekends have seen the biggest jump, with patronage up 35 per cent on Saturdays and 40 per cent on Sundays thanks to more frequent services and simpler routes.
Changes to the Yarra Valley bus network in November 2023 saw extra services added, better connections with trains and simplified timetables - resulting in an increase of people using the bus network on weekdays, with patronage already up 10 per cent on the same period in 2023.
Route 685 was upgraded to become the primary public transport between Healesville and Lilydale station - providing a consistent route seven days a week to Healesville Sanctuary.
Other changes saw Route 684 from Eildon now turning around at Ringwood Station instead of travelling through to the CBD.
At Ringwood Station, bus passengers have access to a turn-up-and-go train service and onward links to the eastern suburbs and medical and social services such as Maroondah and Box Hill hospitals.
These upgrades are part of the Victorian Bus Plan, improving the state's bus network to better meet demand and improve services across the state.
Launched in June 2021, Victoria's Bus Plan has redesigned or strengthened more than 80 local bus networks delivering better coverage and service coordination for communities and adding thousands more services to the network.
As stated by Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams
"We replaced an outdated bus network with a better managed and more efficient public transport network for the Yarra Valley community and we're seeing more locals getting on board with these improved services."
"We've already improved bus services in more than half of the state's 79 local government areas, with thousands of Victorians getting on board with the changes."
As stated by Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
"We have delivered more and improved services across the Yarra Valley bus network - ensuring more people want to step on a bus for years to come."
