SmartBus Routes
SmartBus was originally a policy initiative of the Kennett State Government in the late 1990s, but was slowly implemented under the Bracks and Brumby governments.
On 5 August 2002, the first stage of the trial was implemented, with the following services being chosen as pilot routes:
- 703 Middle Brighton to Blackburn via Bentleigh, Clayton, Monash University, Syndal & Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre operated by Ventura Bus Lines
- 888/889 Nunawading to Chelsea via Forest Hill Chase Shoppng Centre, Glen Waverley, Springvale, Keysborough & Edithvale (888)/Chelsea Heights (889) operated by Grenda's Bus Services (incorporated into Route 902 on 5 April 2010)
These two routes received extra funding for more services, services on 703 increased by 20% and on 888/889 by up to 50%. Sunday services were also added to 888/889.
The aim was to find out whether increased services and better reliability would increase patronage. The project was deemed successful when in 2003, on the 1st anniversary of SmartBus, the Victorian Government released a media statement that the SmartBus program increased patronage by 25%.
The Smartbus network now consists of three orbital routes, the radial Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART) route group and two shorter non-orbital routes.
Read more about this topic: Smart Bus
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