Public transport in Victoria should be accessible, and safe for everyone but right now, bus services are failing hundreds of people each night

In major cities and regional centres like Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, and Warrnambool, many bus routes stop as early as 7:00 PM, leaving people stranded while trains continue running late into the night. This creates a serious inequality in transport access, especially for people who rely on buses as their only form of public transport.

People have been forced to pay for Taxis and Ubers that they cannot afford, walk long distances late at night, travel far out of their way just to get home or even ask police officers for transport because there were no buses running. Nobody should have to rely on emergency services or expensive private transport just to get home safely.

If trains can operate late at night and overnight, buses should too. Buses are essential for young people, students, elderly, workers on evening and night shifts, people with disabilities, low-income communities and suburban and regional residents

I have made this after I personally had this happen to me. I was left stuck at Geelong Station until I was able to be picked up after quite some times alone in the rain, I have previously seen posts on TikTok and Instagram of people having to get additional transport and thought 'this is ridiculous' since up to 80% of Victorians use public transport and over 60% of those people have had to catch additional transport due to disruptions in time.

We are calling on PTV Victoria to extend the bus services to at least 12:00 AM statewide create consistency between train and bus operating hours ensure safe, affordable transport access for all Victorians and to stop leaving communities isolated after early evening hours

Transport is not a privilege it is a basic public service. Everyone deserves a safe way home, whether they live in Melbourne, Geelong, or regional Victoria.

Sign this petition to demand fair, safe, and accessible transport for all Victorians.