Better buses: a practical, affordable transport priority

An open letter to MPs

10 September 2026

Dear Member of Parliament

We write as the Executive of the Metropolitan Transport Forum, which advocates for better transport outcomes on behalf of 25 Melbourne councils and more than 4 million residents.

Together, we ask you to support faster delivery of better bus services across Victoria: services that are more frequent, direct, reliable, accessible and available for longer hours.

Better buses should be a practical priority for Members of Parliament from all parties. At a time when rising transport costs are affecting governments and households, buses offer strong value for money. Many bus improvements can be delivered quickly, targeted to local needs and adjusted as communities grow.

Why better buses deserve cross-party support

Better bus services are one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to improve access to jobs, schools, health care, shops, community services, homes and train stations.

They also ease cost-of-living pressure by giving households a practical and affordable alternative to driving for everyday trips. For many families, better buses mean fewer car trips, lower fuel and parking costs, and better access to work, education and services.

This is an issue that can unite parties across Parliament: better buses are practical, visible, locally relevant and fiscally responsible.

The case for action is already clear

Victoria’s Bus Plan was released in 2021 to create a simpler, faster and more reliable network. Several years later, progress remains too slow.

Earlier this year, the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office said the Department of Transport and Planning is unlikely to meet the Bus Plan’s 2031 mass transit ambition on current settings.

The access gap is significant:

“While 87 per cent of households had a bus service within 400 metres, only 26 per cent have a high-quality bus service within 800 metres.”

Infrastructure Victoria has also made clear that bus reform is essential if Victoria is to get full value from major road and rail investments already under way.

“Victorians make over 16 million trips a day, but many still struggle to reach work, school and services. Workers can reach jobs more easily where there are transport options and services are good.”

“Billions of dollars are also currently being invested in major rail and road transport infrastructure projects, and to get the most out of these investments, the Victorian Government will need to optimise the bus system.”

Better buses are good value for government and households

At a time of budget pressure, bus improvements offer a practical return on public investment. Increasing frequency, simplifying routes, extending operating hours and improving stops can make existing public transport assets work harder.

For households, better buses mean more affordable access to work, study, health care, shopping and community life. For governments, they are a comparatively low-cost way to reduce congestion, support growth areas, improve social equity and increase the value of existing transport networks.

What we ask MPs to support

We ask Members of Parliament from all parties to support increased investment in Victoria’s Bus Plan and local network reform, including commitments to:

• increase frequency and extend operating hours, including evenings and weekends
• make routes faster, simpler and more direct
• improve connections with trains, trams, walking, wheeling and cycling
• prioritise growth areas and areas with poor transport access
• improve accessible bus stops, including accurate digital arrival information.

A practical issue all parties can support

Better buses should not be a partisan issue. They are a sensible, affordable and popular transport improvement that speaks directly to cost-of-living pressure, access, congestion and responsible use of public funds.

In summary

Better buses are a practical, affordable and achievable way to improve transport access and ease cost-of-living pressure. At a time when rising transport costs are affecting both governments and households, all parties should be able to support better value from our bus network: more frequent, reliable, direct and accessible services for the communities that need them.

The conclusion is clear. Better buses. Worth getting on board.

Yours faithfully,

Cr Bernadette Thomas
Chair, Metropolitan Transport Forum

And the following MTF Executive Members:
Cr Alex Makin (Port Phillip), Melissa Falkenberg (Wyndham), Ross Evans (Monash), Cr Anna Chen (Manningham), Cr Ruth Jelley (Darebin), Cr Brandi Morris (Melton) and Cr Liz Irvin (Merri-bek).

Policy References

Victorian Bus Plan 2021–2030
VAGO Improving Bus Services, June 2026
M&P Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Transport Service Analysis
Infrastructure Victoria: Get on board – Making the most of Melbourne’s buses

Authorised by B Thomas, Metropolitan Transport Forum, 61 Napier Street, Footscray 3011.

At a time when rising transport costs are affecting governments and households, buses offer strong value for money.