Politics
Public Transit Modernization Bill Expands Bus Routes Serving Templestowe
Templestowe households gain access to three new bus routes and a 15 percent fare reduction on existing lines under the legislation passed by the state legislature.
How we reported this
The state legislature approved the Public Transit Modernization Bill on 2 July, allocating dedicated funds to regional transit districts that include Templestowe. The measure directs resources toward route expansions and fare adjustments that take effect in phases beginning in September.
Transit authorities in the region have operated with flat budgets for the past four years while ridership on Templestowe lines rose by 8 percent. The new legislation responds to those trends by requiring operators to add service on corridors that connect residential areas to employment sites along the industrial park and the medical centre.
Changes for daily travel
Residents who commute from Templestowe to the medical centre will gain an express route that runs every 20 minutes during peak hours. Families living near Main Street will see an additional evening service on the existing north-south line, eliminating the current 45-minute gap after 7 pm. Local advocates note that these adjustments directly address gaps reported in rider surveys conducted by the transit district last winter.
The bill text specifies that 12 percent of the new funds must support reduced fares for riders under 18 and over 65. State budget papers released with the legislation list $3.2 million for the Templestowe district, covering vehicle purchases and schedule changes through 2028.
Implementation begins with route planning meetings scheduled for the last week of July. The transit district must publish updated timetables by 15 August, followed by a 30-day public comment period before service changes start in September. Operators will report quarterly ridership and cost data to the legislature under the bill’s accountability provisions.