Doncaster Road & Mitcham Road bus priority proposal : VicRoads

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Doncaster Road & Mitcham Road bus priority proposal

VicRoads is proposing to install part-time bus lanes and extend clearways along Doncaster Road and Mitcham Road to improve bus reliability and travel times.

Bus lanes and clearways will reduce delays by giving buses priority on the road during peak hours - resulting in quicker, more reliable bus journeys along this busy public transport route. 

'Have your say' about this proposal by providing feedback before 10 December 2009.


Proposal details
The proposal calls for changes to both sides of Doncaster Road and Mitcham Road, between High Street in Doncaster and Springvale Road in Donvale:

  • clearways that operate from 6am – 9am and 4pm – 7pm, Monday to Friday
  • new part-time bus lanes that operate from 6am – 9am and 4pm – 7pm, Monday to Friday, to be installed in the existing left traffic lane.


View a map of the proposed changes [JPEG, 170KB, 1pp]


Why we're proposing changes...

To improve public transport reliability and travel times
Bus lanes are being introduced on key bus routes across Melbourne to improve reliability and travel times. Bus lanes help reduce delays so that travel times are more predictable and buses can travel more closely to timetable. Clearways reinforce that no parking is permitted during bus lane operating hours.

To encourage more use of public transport
One bus can carry 50 times the number of people that normally travel in a car - making bus travel greener and reducing congestion on our roads. By installing bus lanes and clearways to improve reliability, more people will be encouraged to leave the car at home and use the bus more often.

To help more people get to and from Doncaster Road
Doncaster Road is a centre for community services, schools, businesses, shopping centres and leisure facilities. Improved bus services will help a greater number of people get to Doncaster Road and other destinations around Melbourne by public transport.

To cater for future growth

Melbourne's population is growing rapidly. More people means a greater need for an effective and efficient transport system. Putting public transport facilities such as bus lanes into place now will help ensure that bus services remain reliable into the future and that reliance on private cars is reduced.

To get the most from our road network
The number of cars using Doncaster Road has reduced from 70,000 to about 25,000 per day since the Eastern Freeway opened. The left lane of Doncaster Road could carry 300 more people per hour as a bus lane than it does now as a general traffic lane.  By installing a bus lane we'll be using the road in the most efficient way.


Community consultation
We are seeking your feedback on this proposal. Following consultation, all feedback will be considered and a final decision will be made and publicly announced.

Community information session
Date:    Thursday 29 October 2009
Time:    Drop in anytime between 1:30pm - 4:30pm or 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue:  Manningham Function Centre - Heide Room, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (Melway 33 E12)

If you cannot attend the information session and would like to discuss the proposal with our team, please contact us to arrange a meeting.

How to provide feedback
Please send us your comments by
10 December 2009 using a feedback form [WORD, 51KB, 1pp] . Contact us to receive a feedback form in the post. 


Contact us
VicRoads Tram & Bus Projects team:
Phone: 1300 309 571
Email:  smartbus@roads.vic.gov.au
Fax:     (03) 9091 8320