Bus priority projects improve the reliability and travel times of buses on key routes across Melbourne. Improvements are achieved by putting measures in place that give buses priority ahead of other traffic, including:
- bus lanes
- traffic light priority
- changes to parking.
Proposed bus priority projects
Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street
VicRoads and the Department of Transport are proposing to install new peak hour bus lanes and clearways on sections of Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street.
Community consultation was undertaken in March and April 2011. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback - your comments are now being reviewed and considered.
Read more about the Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street proposal.
Mahoneys Road and Keon Parade, Reservoir/Thomastown
A proposal to introduce bus priority along Mahoneys Road and Keon Parade is in the planning stages following extensive community consultation.
A bus lane and clearway operates from 6.30am - 10am, Monday to Friday, on City Road inbound from Clarendon Street to Queens Bridge Street. This will help improve bus reliability and travel times during the morning peak.
Bus reliability and travel times during the morning peak will be further improved by provision of easier access for buses to stop at the corner of City Road and Montague Street (citybound) in South Melbourne.
Read more about City Road bus priority.
Clearways have been extended along Bell Street, between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road, to improve traffic flow. New peak hour clearways and bus lanes have also been installed along Bell Street between Sydney Road and Nicholson Street. These improvements 'free-up' extra space on the road so traffic can flow more freely and delays to buses are reduced. Read more about Bell Street bus priority.
Peak hour bus lanes and clearways have been installed along Doncaster Road and Mitcham Road, between High Street and Springvale Road.
This project is part of the SmartBus program to improve bus services in the Doncaster area. Bus lanes will help reduce delays to buses on the important Doncaster Road corridor, resulting in quicker and more reliable trips for passengers.
Doncaster Road and High Street, Doncaster
Bus priority works on Doncaster Road, from Hender Street to the Park & Ride facility at High Street in Doncaster have been completed. Read more about the Doncaster Road and High Street project.
Williamsons Road and Foote Street, Templestowe
Works to provide buses with more priority at the intersection of Williamsons Road and Foote Street in Templestowe have been completed. Read more about the Williamsons Road and Foote Street project.
New bus lanes are now operating on Diamond Creek Road as part of the extension of SmartBus Route 901 to Greensborough and Melbourne Airport. Read more about the Diamond Creek Road project.
Bus priority road works on Diamond Creek Road and Main Street to reduce delays to buses travelling south toward Greensborough's town centre have been completed. Read more about the Diamond Creek Road and Main Street project.
A bus lane is now operating on the east side of Melrose Drive, between Melrose Court and Malvern Avenue. Traffic lights at the intersection of Melrose Drive and Malvern Avenue have been upgraded to include a 'B' priority light for buses.
Shared bus/bike lanes have been constructed on both sides of Mickleham Road, between the Tullamarine Freeway and Broadmeadows Road Deviation roundabout. This project included road and safety improvements that will deliver benefits for all road users. Read more about the Mickleham Road bus project.
Work has been completed on the new southbound bus lane to improve bus travel times along Pascoe Vale Road. Traffic lights were also upgraded to include 'B' lights, providing buses with priority at intersections. Read more about the Pascoe Vale Road project.