During Bus Awareness Week 2023, the Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) suggested that member councils promote an online survey via their websites and social media.
Not all MTF councils participated, but several councils, notably Melton and Manningham, promoted the survey enthusiastically.
The survey was open from 10 October until 15 November 2023. During that period 764 unique responses were received. The survey was anonymous, although respondents could include their email to receive a summary of the results. This is that summary.

Quick summary 

Over half (54%) of the responses came from Melton and Manningham residents, most of the remaining came from Bayside, Maribyrnong, Merri-bek, Brimbank, Whitehorse, Hobsons Bay, Darebin, Nillumbik Shire, Banyule, Wyndham and Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Only 25% were satisfied with current bus services, with over 50% dissatisfied.
The most popular suggestion for improvement was more frequent services, with 80% of all respondents making this suggestion. The next most popular suggestions were more direct services, more service hours, more reliable services and more service days.
Over 500 respondents nominated local routes that were ‘missing’, while a further 600 made specific suggestions on changes to local services.
All these suggestions have been passed to the local councils.

The most popular suggestion for improvement was more frequent services, with 80% of all respondents making this suggestion.