Proposed upgrades to the Yarra Valley Bus network will see an overhaul of the services, dropping the four routes down to two.
The State Government is looking to update and simplify the timetables to improve the frequency of routes, make more popular shopping and school stops easier.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, “We are proposing improvements to bus services through the Yarra Valley – making them more frequent and accessible, and providing bus users with direct access to schools, shopping centres, and ongoing transport options at the newly upgraded Lilydale Station.”
Route 685 Healesville to Lilydale will merge with Route 686 Healesville – Badgers Creek and extend to Healesville Sanctuary and Badger Creek, meaning residents no longer need to transfer buses to get to Lilydale. The changes will allow services to run every 40 minutes on weekdays and Saturday, and every 60 minutes on Sunday to ensure residents have more travel choices than ever before.
Route 684 Melbourne to Eildon via Healesville will terminate at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, with passengers visiting the city able to transfer at the new, elevated Lilydale Station. As part of the station upgrade, the recent relocation of the bus interchange will also make transfers easier and more accessible.
The government said the removal of Route 687 Healesville – Chum Creek will redirect resources to where they are needed most.
Commuters are encouraged to have their say on the changes through an online survey which is open for three weeks.
Two in-person information sessions will also be held on the proposed changes, which will be held at Coles Supermarket, 251 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, on Thursday 31 March from 10:30am to 12:30pm and Thursday 5 April from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
As improvements to the Yarra Valley bus network get underway, works are continuing at Lilydale Station following the removal of the Maroondah Highway Level Crossing last year as part of the Labor Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project.
The final changes to the Yarra Valley bus network will be introduced in late 2022 as part of Victoria’s Bus Plan to improve the bus network to better meet demand, improve accessibility and performance, and deliver value for money.
The community can access information and submit feedback through the online survey until Friday 8 April at www.ptv.vic.gov.au/yarravalley.
Ms Shing said, “I would encourage people to have their say about these proposed changes so we can deliver exactly what is needed.”
