‘Vital upgrades’ revealed for high-speed busway along North East Link
Subscribe
X

Get the latest from Beat

04.09.2024

‘Vital upgrades’ revealed for high-speed busway along North East Link

North East Link busway designs
A snapshot of how the new Doncaster Park and Ride will fit within the North East Link's Eastern Freeway upgrades.
Words by Staff Writer

The Victorian government has unveiled the designs for the upgraded Doncaster Park and Ride, which will soon connect to a dedicated high-speed busway along the North East Link's Eastern Freeway.

Locals can have their say on many aspects of the North East Link’s Eastern Freeeway upgrades and Doncaster works, which are aiming to slash bus travel times along the freeway by up to 30 per cent. 

They can also provide feedback on the designs which are now on exhibition for public consultation. The upgraded Doncaster Park and Ride will feature a dedicated entry and exit ramp, with three longer bus platform bays to cut congestion and allow buses to enter and exit more efficiently. 

North East Link busway and Doncaster Park and Ride upgrades

  • Eastern Freeway to feature high-speed bus lanes for the six million buses that travel along it annually
  • Construction of the new Doncaster Park and Ride is on track to begin next year
  • A new 435-space multi-level car park is being built to make the travel more accessible

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.

A new 435-space multi-level car park will be built, along with upgraded drop-off and pick-up bays, lifts, stairs, 10 motorcycle spaces and 13 accessible car spaces – making it easier for people to catch the bus. New pedestrian and cycling paths will link into the new underpass under Doncaster Road, while 28 bike hoops and a Parkiteer cage for 26 bicycles will be installed. 

The Park and Ride will also feature more than 1,000 square metres of green wall space for climbing plants, more than 20,000 plants and 150 new indigenous and native trees. 

The Doncaster Park and Ride upgrade joins the new park and ride at Bulleen to double the number of parks available to commuters using the Eastern Freeway bus services. 

These will directly connect to the future Eastern Busway from Doncaster towards the city – offering dedicated high-speed bus lanes for the six million buses that travel along the Eastern Freeway every year.

The Eastern Busway is being delivered as part of North East Link, which will fix the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network, take 15,000 trucks off local roads every day and slash travel times by up to 35 minutes.  

“This vital upgrade to the Doncaster Park and Ride will make it easier to get to and from the city for the thousands of passengers who use this bus interchange every day,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said.

“Revitalising Doncaster Park and Ride into a state-of-the-art transport centre will support faster, reliable buses to and from the city and will unlock potential for new routes and services as our city grows,” Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams added.

Construction of the new Doncaster Park and Ride is on track to begin next year and is planned for completion by 2028. To have your say on the designs, visit engage.vic.gov.au/bigbuild.