Dandenong public transport advocates are stepping up their campaign for better weekend buses, backing an election plan that would give every bus route in Greater Dandenong a Sunday service and increase frequencies on key routes.
Fix Dandy Buses has welcomed the Public Transport Users Association’s Priority Transport Investments for the 2026 State Election, which calls for service upgrades across Melbourne aimed at making public transport more useful seven days a week.
The campaign has previously argued that free weekend public transport offers have limited value in neighbourhoods where buses do not run, or operate only for part of the weekend. The latest proposal goes further by setting out service changes the group says would address those gaps.
Fix Dandy Buses convenor Peter Parker said the PTUA priorities would bring Sunday services to all bus routes across Greater Dandenong, while major routes would operate at least every 20 minutes throughout the week.
“Better 7 day buses would make public transport so much more useful across Greater Dandenong, saving people money and getting them to work, health services and social activities easier and faster”.
Among the routes identified is the 828 between Berwick, Dandenong and Hampton, where weekend gaps would fall from as much as 60 minutes to 20 minutes under the proposal, bringing weekend frequencies into line with weekday services.
“Better 7 day buses would make public transport so much more useful across Greater Dandenong, saving people money and getting them to work, health services and social activities easier and faster”
Other routes proposed for services every 20 minutes or better include the 850 between Dandenong and Glen Waverley, Route 901 along Stud Road and Route 902 on Springvale Road.
The plan would also apply Saturday timetables on Sundays, extending Sunday services to routes that currently lack them, including the 814 in Noble Park North, 844 to Doveton and 857 in Dandenong South.
“Upgrading these would finally provide every neighbourhood in Greater Dandenong with the seven day transport transport they need”, Mr Parker said.
The proposal follows repeated calls from the group to address weekend gaps in Melbourne’s bus network. Its campaign has pointed to the Route 800 upgrade in 2024 as evidence that additional weekend services can attract passengers.
“Weekend bus upgrades and longer operating hours are particularly cost-effective as they use buses that would otherwise be idle. Furthermore we know they attract ridership, as proved by the weekend usage success of the Route 800 upgraded in 2024”, he added.
Mr Parker argued that bus service improvements should also be considered against cost pressures facing households and the state budget.
“With both state and personal budgets under pressure, the state needed cost-effective transport improvements that would deliver wide benefit while saving people money.”
The PTUA priorities come as political parties prepare for Victoria’s November state election, putting public transport service levels alongside major infrastructure spending as an issue for voters.
“Better 7 day buses in areas like Greater Dandenong can be part of the solution and should be supported by all political parties and candidates”, Mr Parker said.
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