FRUSTRATED Wyndham commuters are demanding better connectivity between trains and buses after a survey revealed many travellers are suffering due to infrequent and inaccessible services.
The Public Transport Users Association study observed frequency of routes (every 15 minutes) and compared services in peak times, off-peak, weekends and evenings.
It revealed only 46 per cent of trains and 13 per cent of buses across the state met the 15-minute threshold.
Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said the situation was particularly dire in Wyndham as crowded public transport struggled to meet the demands of huge population growth.
“With no trams, few train lines and almost no SmartBus services, the middle and outer-western suburbs have few choices when it comes to transport,” he said.
“Many bus services only run every 40 to 60 minutes, which is no alternative to car travel. “The government must do more to provide frequent public transport to ensure people can leave their cars at home more often.”
A PTUA report last year labelled Wyndham’s bus services the worst in metropolitan Melbourne, with the least direct routes being taken adding unnecessary time to journeys.
LeadWest chief executive Anton Mayer said better connections between buses and trains was the key.
“Improved integration of bus and train services would go a long way,” he said.
“With such a dispersed community, Wyndham needs increased greater capacity on its bus network, but thought also needs to be given to direct routes into the city.”
A Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman again said Wyndham’s bus network would be reviewed as part of planning for the new Williams Landing station and the Regional Rail Link.
“In recent years several bus routes in Wyndham have been realigned to simplify journeys to the train station and improve connections between trains and buses,” she said.
