Andrea Bunting

Glenroy and Hadfield demand better public transport

The north of Merri-bek is poorly served by public transport. We need more trains and more buses, and even an extended tram line to Hadfield.

Last year we surveyed Glenroy residents and asked them what would help them get around more safely and sustainably. At this year’s Glenroy Festival, we asked people what better public transport means to them. Residents were particularly concerned about poor bus services, including NO Sunday service on the 536 bus (which goes from Glenroy Station to Gowrie Station). Below we provide residents’ responses.

Thanks to 7 day service on 536 bus campaign for image 

People have been advocating for better public transport in Merri-bek’s north for years. We just need the state government to act.

In 2022, the state government consulted on bus network reform in Melbourne’s north. They found that people overwhelmingly wanted buses that run frequently and on time, and that connected with trams and trains. Yet the plan to reform buses has stalled, with little funding provided in past state government budgets. Victoria will hand down its 2025 budget on Tuesday May 20.

Interestingly, the recent federal election results in the Glenroy and Hadfield polling booths showed at 2PP swing away from the Labor Party of 10 to 20%. The electorate of Wills is now very marginal. This suggests that governments need to step up and provide much better services to people in the north – including better public transport.

Comment from a local resident – our transport system is biased towards drivers

We need a better service on the 536 bus

The 536 bus runs between Gowrie Station and Glenroy Station. It runs mainly along Widford Street, Daley Street, Hilton Stret and Box Forest Road. It is essential for many residents who want to got by public transport to the Glenroy shops or train stations. Yet the 536 bus runs only every 30 minutes (and every 40 minutes on Saturdays). There are no weekday services after 8pm, and none after 6pm on Saturdays. And there are NO 536 buses on Sundays. Merri-bek Council even suggested we could get to the Glenroy Festival using the 536 bus. No we couldn’t!

We suggest Glenroy and Hadfield residents write to the Minister for Public Transport and to their State Member of Parliament to ask for better services on bus route 536.

Our leaflets at the Glenroy Festival
A resident points to all the comments

What did Glenroy and Hadfield residents tell us?

We asked people at the Glenroy festival whether they wanted better public transport and why. The vast majority were concerned about poor public transport and wanted much better services. Even residents who relied on a private car noted that public transport was important for children to get around, and for many other people in the community. Plus it is important for the environment.

And when you are relying on a poor bus service and you miss one – well you know the story…

Here is what residents told us. “I want better public transport in Glenroy and Hadfield because …”

  • The bus frequency from Glenroy to Pascoe Vale is less. I think they should keep buses every 20 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends.
  • I want to drive less, travel around Merri-bek, and not have to leave so early!
  • To make less traffic.
  • Public transport is very poor and insufficient to service the growing community in Glenroy and Hadfield. We need better trains and bus frequency.
  • I want more buses. And no feet on seats. And no drugs on buses or trains. 
  • So you can get to places quicker.  
  • My children need the services to get to school and workplace over the weekend.
  • I need buses more often, so I can get around. I don’t drive.
  • This gets people out of cars and makes children independent and improves communities.
  • We want bus tours, coach tours, airport transfers, train station, tram station to city and courtesy bus all being improved.
  • We can get on time to work and our destinations. Thank you.
  • We need better public transport for the community.
  • A bus service to Fawkner directly from Hadfield, Glenroy. What is going on with the 534 bus down South Street? Please explain. 
  • East-west transport is very limited.
  • We need Sunday bus services.
  • I went to catch the bus Sunday morning. Church day and no one on the road. Bus did not arrive on time but I made it luckily.
  • It could provide better outcomes for the community: access to employment, education, freedom to explore fun in the community.
  • Because there is too much car traffic!
  • Less stressful journeys.
  • Public transport should be more frequent and more accessible. We should be relying on cars less in a climate emergency.
  • Connecting community; connecting people experience domestic violence to services and safety; reducing emissions.
  • To get to work on time.
  • I want to get to the Glenroy festival on a Sunday by bus. 
  • I want the trains to be a reasonable transport option at all times of day. Regular services on weekends and nights.
  • Frequent trains and buses connections. Many people do not have the ability to drive or do not want to, and improving services benefits all groups of people!
  • Because public transport is so inconsistent and takes so long.
  • Especially for the 542 bus, I want to have an early morning service.
  • On weekends we have to take our kids on activities and on weekends we need public transport .  
  • Better public transport replaces private vehicles on the road that would reduce congestion, reduce car emissions and contribute to safety and health of environment and human health.
  • Due to the closure of the Glenroy Post Office, I have to use public transport to pay my bills. I am elderly and not computer savvy. Therefore I have to travel.
  • More buses, please.
  • Everyone should be able to get where they need to, not just car drivers.
  • It’s a lot better if we have more buses and more trains running, thank you.
  • I would like to it’s better quality train such as those shiny new trains in the south, better long trams please.
  • So I can actually rely on and use public transport. At the moment there aren’t proper connections, and low frequencies especially on bus services
  • I needed to walk an extra 20 minutes today to catch the 534 bus because the 536 bus was not running. 
  • Bus route up, say Hilton street , rather than 536 and 534 both down Melbourne Avenue.
  • I’m sick of being crammed into overcrowded trains that I’ve waited 20 minutes for.
  • More public transport, be strict about fare evasion. I rely on public transport with kids
  • Because I want to go to the pool.
  • More frequent bus rides on weekends, more frequent train rides on Upfield line.
  • Take a look at Perth’s public transport – trains every ten minutes or so from airport at public transport fares. Trains from Mandorah to Perth city every ten to fifteen minutes or less.
  • I can’t stay home all day. Sunday service, so that people are can access other parts of the city for work or leisure purposes, especially for going out. We need to avoid isolation.

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