News / Transport

Residents launch petition for a better 526 bus service in Coburg North

Andrea Bunting

LIVING in the Newlands estate in Coburg North, Li Zheng participates in volunteer and community activities, and catches the 526 bus several times a day.

The bus stop is close to her home but the service is poor.

Buses run every 30 minutes, and the service stops before 8pm on weekdays. There are no 526 buses on Saturday evenings or Sundays.

Bus route 526 runs from Coburg Station to the Newlands and Coburg Hill estates. The area has seen significant growth, including hundreds of new homes and a shopping centre, yet the bus timetable has not been upgraded.

Li said: “My fellow passengers include Coburg High students, retirees, carless workers, national and international tourists staying in the caravan park, and others like myself heading to events. The poor service has led to widespread complaints.”

Li has joined with other residents to lobby for better buses. In late January they launched a petition to the Victorian Parliament.

They are asking the government to improve services on bus route 526 by extending operating hours to at least 9pm every day, increasing the frequency to at least every twenty minutes, connecting the route to the Darebin tram and/or train services, and introducing Sunday Services.

Already 350 people have signed. Li hopes they can reach 1000 signatures. She has been handing out leaflets with a QR code to the petition.

“But some people prefer pen and paper,” she said. “We plan to have a paper version of the petition to make it easier to sign”.

Bus passengers often get a raw deal. Li recounts how the government closed the 526 bus stop on Sydney Road near Bell Street to allow for a large construction project. It will remain closed until 2027.

“This stop was the only 526 bus stop at the Coburg shops where bus passengers could sit while waiting for the bus,” she said.

“They did not provide us with another seat. It’s a half hourly service. Many passengers are elderly. They must reinstate that bus stop when construction finishes”.

After the 526 bus campaign team contacted Merri-bek Mayor Nat Abboud, a bench was installed on Champ Street.

Anthony Cianflone, State Member for Pascoe Vale who sponsored the petition, is also advocating for a better bus 526 service.

“I remain absolutely committed to doing all I can to continue improving local train, tram, bus, active transport and road safety infrastructure and services to build a more connected and sustainable community,” he said.

“All of our local bus routes play a significant role, including the 526 Bus Route through Coburg, Coburg North and Newlands, which has continued to connect locals from their home to places of work, learning, shopping, services and other transport corridors over many years.

“I support the calls of locals to continue modernising the timetable for Route 526 via more frequent weekday and weekend services, including on Sundays.”

“I’m continuing to regularly convey the views, experiences and suggestions of locals regarding public transport generally and Route 526 specifically to the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Hon Gabrielle Williams, and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to help inform their ongoing consideration of these important matters.”

Merri-bek Council is also supporting the campaign. Abboud said: “The 526 bus route provides the only public transport between two estates within the Merri-bek community, connecting residents to family, friends, jobs and other services, where there are no other transport options close by.

“We would love to see this bus route improved by increased frequency, extended weeknight hours and added public holiday and Sunday services.

“We need the State Government to prioritise the delivery of improved bus services that make it simple and accessible for the community to use, including reliable buses that travel the most direct route for a faster journey.”

The 526 bus campaign is part of a groundswell of popular support for better buses, said public transport researcher Dr John Stone.

“Communities from Fawkner to Werribee and Dandenong are demanding government action to transform our broken bus system into a frequent and connected network. Upgrading the 526 is the simple and affordable first step!”

Li Zheng agrees: “Join us! Together we can get a better service for bus route 526”.

The Bus 526 Campaign is supported by Safer Walking and Riding for Murray Road, Climate Action Merri-bek, and Darebin Climate Action Now. Follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram.

The petition for a better service on bus route 526 closes on August 8.

Andrea Bunting is the convenor of Walk On Merri-bek.