Politics
Regional Transit Act Adds Bus Routes to Northern Bundoora Only
Northern Bundoora households gain shorter commutes to employment centres while southern sections of the suburb receive no added services under the measure passed by the state legislature.
How we reported this
The state legislature passed the Regional Transit Improvement Act on 2 July, directing new bus routes and frequency increases to northern sections of Bundoora while leaving southern precincts without additional coverage.
The measure follows updated population counts released in the most recent state budget papers that showed faster growth in the northern corridor compared with other parts of the suburb. Lawmakers adjusted route planning formulas to match those updated figures rather than earlier projections from five years ago.
Effects on daily travel and local services
Residents along the new northern corridors will connect to the main employment zone in roughly 18 fewer minutes each way once services begin. Shift workers at nearby warehouses and the university precinct stand to save on fuel or parking costs that currently average 45 dollars per week for many households. Local shops near the planned stops can expect more foot traffic from commuters who previously drove past without stopping.
Southern Bundoora neighbourhoods keep existing service levels, which means continued reliance on transfers or longer walks to reach the same job centres. Families there report no change in school-run times or access to evening medical appointments under the new schedule.
Budget documents attached to the legislation list 12.4 million dollars earmarked for Bundoora route expansions over the next two fiscal years, drawn from the statewide transit capital account. The figure covers vehicle purchases and driver recruitment but does not include new road works or shelters outside the northern zone.
Rollout timeline
Transport officials have scheduled route testing for the final quarter of 2026 and full operation by March 2027. The government projects the northern additions will serve an estimated 4,200 additional weekday boardings once complete. Southern residents seeking service changes must wait for the next annual review cycle, scheduled to begin in early 2028.