A Dandenong-based community group has welcomed a surge in public support for reforming Melbourne’s bus network, following new data showing almost three-quarters of residents back the move.
The 2025 Living in Melbourne Report, based on a July survey of 1,000 people by the Committee for Melbourne and Ipsos, found 72 per cent of respondents supported bus service reform—a sharp rise from 66 per cent last year, marking the biggest increase among all projects measured.
The findings put bus reform second only to Airport Rail in public approval. Other transport projects, including the Suburban Rail Loop, Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and North East Link, scored between 53 and 60 per cent support.
The survey also highlighted changing travel habits, with a 4 per cent drop in car ownership and a 5 per cent rise in respondents saying public transport didn’t go where they needed to go.
Fix Dandy Buses Convenor Peter Parker said the results showed a clear mandate for change and urged the state government to lift investment in Melbourne’s bus services in the 2026 Budget to levels seen in other states.
“The easiest to implement bus reform involves adding trips on existing popular routes at times when service is sparse yet there is known travel demand,” Mr Parker said.
He said weekends remained a particular weak spot, calling for services every 20 minutes or better on major routes such as 828, 901 and 902 to replace current 30- to 60-minute waits.
Another focus, he said, should be extending operating hours and adding Sunday services on local Dandenong routes like 802, 804 and 814.
“Gippsland towns like Moe now have local buses every 40 minutes seven days per week, yet routes in suburbs like Mulgrave, Noble Park North, Dandenong North and Doveton can lack even this basic level of service,” Mr Parker said.
He added that improving bus services was about fairness as much as mobility. “Investment in better bus services changes lives and saves people money. It was time the Victorian government came on board by boosting service levels of Dandenong buses to match those of other suburbs and even regional Victoria.”
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