An on-demand bus service is set to commence in Tarneit North next year, the state government has announced.
Public transport minister Ben Carroll visited Tarneit Central Shopping Centre to announce the news last week (Friday, December 10).
Mr Carroll said the Flexiride bus service would help residents travel to locations including the shopping centre and Tarneit station, although it will have no set route.
Passengers will be able to book a seat on the bus using the FlexiRide Melton South app or a phone.
Commuters will be directed to their closest bus stop, either a physical one or appropriate alternative location, to be picked up.
The contract for the Flexiride project is out to tender, with the service scheduled to starting operating in late 2022.
Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly welcomed the announcement.
“Tarneit North is a growing community and Flexiride will give locals more options to get to work, the shops, and the train station,” she said.
The state government has also committed to opening two new bus routes in Wyndham, the 152 Tarneit – Williams Landing and route 182 Werribee – Tarneit via Tarneit West.
The new routes will provide access to trains at Tarneit, Williams Landing and Werribee stations and the Werribee town centre.
In addition, plans are underway to develop a “transport superhub” in Sunshine.
The superhub will connect Melbourne with regional Victoria, the Melbourne Airport Rail, the Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop, with more frequent trains.
The rollout of nine-car V/Line trains on selected services for Wyndham Vale and Tarneit passengers will create more capacity, with the extension of regional platforms at Sunshine train station to support these services.
“Melbourne’s west is changing fast and we’re delivering more public transport and building the infrastructure to support the thriving community – creating local jobs along the way and making it easier to travel right across the state,” Mr Carroll said.
