This week, the state government upgraded some bus timetables. Now all Merri-bek buses south of Bell Street will run on most public holidays. (No news yet on Sunday buses.)

But they left out buses in the north – the very place that desperately needs better public transport.

There is still no announcement on running buses seven days a week. Half of Merri-bek’s buses still don’t run on Sundays. Most of these didn’t run on public holidays either. But new timetables have been announced for the ones south of Bell Street (routes 503, 506, 509, 512) to include public holidays (except for Good Friday and Christmas Day).

But what about in the north?

Bus Route 526 (Coburg Station to Newlands and Coburg Hill)

Locals on this route are running a very active campaign to get this route upgraded. See their Facebook page and Instagram page. They currently have a parliamentary petition, which closes on August 8, 2026.

Bus Route 536 (Glenroy Station to Gowrie Station )

This bus route was promised a Sunday service in the May 2025 state budget. CAM was happy to help with the advocacy campaign. Follow the Facebook page for updates here. But residents are still waiting for Sunday services to begin! Council officers have told us that there is interest in extending this route into Fawkner (which would be very helpful). We don’t know if this is the reason for the delay.

Bus Route 531 (Terminus of route 19 tram to Upfield Station)

This service only runs Monday to Friday – once an hour. There are no services on weekends or public holidays. The Council has long been advocating for this to be transformed into a decent bus route. See our blogpost here.

Bus Route 490 (Gowanbrae to Airport West)

This is the only bus route serving Gowanbrae. It runs to the shopping centre at Airport West. There are no Sunday service or public holiday services and nothing in the pipeline as far as we know.

Oil crisis is highlighting the need for decent public transport

There is lots that needs to be done to improve public transport so that more residents can get around sustainably and cheaply. For detail on the gaps in Merri-bek’s public transport network see our blogpost here. Note that the main gaps are north of Bell Street.

What can residents do? We suggest writing to the Minister and shadow Minister to say that all bus routes should run every day of the week – including Sundays and public holidays.

• The Hon. Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Public and Active Transport, receptionminwilliams@transport.vic.gov.au
• The Hon. Matthew Guy, Shadow Minister for Public Transport, matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

And write to the local MPs.

• Ms Kathleen Matthews-Ward, MP for Broadmeadows, kathleen.matthews-ward@parliament.vic.gov.au
• Mr Anthony Cianflone, MP for Pascoe Vale, anthony.cianflone@parliament.vic.gov.au
• Ms Sheena Watt, MLC for Northern Metro Region, sheena.watt@parliament.vic.gov.au
• Anasina Gray-Barbario, MLC for Northern Metro Region, anasina.gray-barberio@parliament.vic.gov.au