CAM campaigns for better public transport in Merri-bek, particularly for frequent services on the Upfield rail line and bus routes. The next CAM meeting on Monday October 20 will feature a discussion on bus reform by John Stone and Linda Parlane. (We meet from 6.30pm at the Catalyst Social Centre.)

Earlier in 2025, we worked with the 536 bus campaign (Glenroy to Gowrie), which was successful in getting increased services. Currently we are working with the 7 day 506 bus campaign, which is campaigning for services to run on Sundays, as well as Saturday evening services on the 506 bus route. This bus runs between Moonee Ponds, Brunswick and Westgarth. We have a parliamentary petition. You can sign it online here (and please send to friends): https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/more-services-for-bus-route-506/

The parliamentary petition, sponsored by Anasina Gray-Barbario, Greens MLC, will close on October 10, 2025. She will then table the petition, and the Minister for Active and Public Transport will need to respond to it. So far we have over 800 signatures, and hope to reach the target of 1000 signatures.

Members of Climate Action Merri-bek and Yarra Climate Action Now have leafleted households along the whole length of the route. We are grateful to the offices of Tim Read, Peter Khalil, Anasina Gray-Barbario and Sheena Watt for assistance with photocopying. The campaign has received coverage in the online and print version of Brunswick Voice, and in the online Australasian Bus & Coach. The Melbourne on Transit blogsite also has an extensive discussion on the 506 bus route.

Anasina Gray-Barbario has also spoken in parliament about the 506 bus. She emphasised that adding a Sunday service to the 506 bus route was importing in “connecting people to their jobs, education, health care and essential services seven days a week“. Sheena Watt, Labor MLC for Northern Metro is also keen, telling Brunswick Voice: “ I will continue to advocate for expanded PTV services in Brunswick and all across my electorate so we can get cars off the roads and lead a more sustainable future that buses are going to play a massive part in.” Merri-bek Council is also keen for a better 506 bus route, including removing the deviations along Allard, Smith, and Pearson Streets.

The 506 bus is the busiest bus route in Melbourne without a Sunday service. In 2022, the state government undertook extensive consultation on bus reform, including in Melbourne’s north. Specific feedback about bus route 506 showed people wanted the service to run on Sundays.

We are hoping that this campaign will lead to the 506 bus route receiving additional funding in the May 2026 state budget. Politicians are currently working on their requests for the budget. Council will also be advocating for this in the coming period.

Residents can also write to the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, on receptionminwilliams@transport.vic.gov.au or call her office on 9658 4210 to say you want a better bus service on route 506.