14 February 2023

The Andrews Labor Government is rolling out additional bus services in inner-Melbourne to make it easier for locals and students to travel.

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll today announced 13 additional bus services have been introduced each weekday on route 505 from Moonee Ponds to the University of Melbourne, via Parkville Gardens.

The additional bus services will better connect the community to employment, education and shops – and forms part of Victoria’s Bus Plan, which is delivering improvements to the state’s bus network.

Students will now have better access to the University of Melbourne and University High School, while it’ll also benefit locals with access to Mercy Health Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne Zoo, Royal Park and Princes Park.

Route 505 was introduced in 2006 to provide public transport access to the former Commonwealth Games athletes village. Demand for the service has since increased, being popular for students to get to university, as well as among locals in the growing Parkville Gardens residential development.

The services will also improve access to Royal Park Station and connect to the future Parkville Station when it opens in 2025 as part of the Metro Tunnel Project.

Work is underway on the new station which will bring trains direct to Parkville for the first time. It will also link directly to Melbourne Airport in 2029 via Melbourne Airport Rail.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

“Victoria’s bus network plays an important role in connecting people to employment, education, healthcare and other transport modes.”

“These additional weekday services will help make it easier for students and residents to get where they need to go around inner-Melbourne.”

Quote attributable to Member for Essendon Danny Pearson

“This will provide a huge benefit to the community – with the additional weekday services better connecting locals and students to the facilities they need.”  

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt

“We’re giving those living in inner-Melbourne more options about when they travel across our bus network – and these additional services will provide a huge benefit.”