Explore Melbourne Bus Route System & Its Unique Designs

Melbourne has an excellent public transport system, and the bus network is a big part of that. Buses in Melbourne are quick and convenient, and the routes cover all city areas. So whether you are a tourist, an international student, or a business professional visiting this city for a meeting, you can travel easily, just like locals.

The bus system in Melbourne is designed to be user-friendly. All the routes are easy to travel, and the stops are marked with maps and signage. You can also use the online planner to map out your trip in advance. This article will explore some unique bus stop designs across Melbourne, understand the bus system, and look at some bus stop construction guidelines.

Unique bus stop designs:

You will find a variety of bus stop designs across the city that offer utility, convenience, and ease to travel. Some of the unique designs are:

Dual-sided design:

This type of bus stop design is found on major roads and highways. It offers two waiting areas for passengers, one on each side of the road. The dual-sided concept is convenient for people who are travelling in both directions.

Sheltered bus stop:

Sheltered bus stops are located across the city to provide shelter from the weather for waiting passengers. These bus stops usually have roofs, and some have walls or glass panels. The sheltered bus stop design is ideal for areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Minimal Design:

The minimal design bus stop is found in areas with low pedestrian traffic. It is a basic design that includes a waiting room and a local area map. This bus stop is typically used in residential areas or on lightly trafficked roads.

Bold Coloured bus stop:

These are usually coloured red to give it a bold look. The bold coloured bus stop is found in areas with high pedestrian traffic or parks. It is a basic design that includes a waiting room and a local area map.

Crystal Clear:

It is a minimalistic and unique bus stop design that is made entirely of glass. The glass panels offer an unobstructed view of the local area for waiting passengers. The crystal clear bus stop is found in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Playful Design:

It is a basic design that includes a waiting area and a local area map. The playful design bus stop is unique because it is decorated with fun and colourful elements.

Bike Shelter:

The bike shelter bus stop is designed for people travelling by bicycle. It offers a waiting area for passengers and a sheltered place to store bicycles. The bike shelter is found in areas with high pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It’s among the unique designs from a bus stop builder.

Black and white design:

These bus stops usually have broader shade canopies to provide shelter for waiting passengers. This design is simple and elegant with a black and white colour scheme. Moreover, the wide shade canopies offer protection from the sun and rain. Some of the popular bus stops in Melbourne that stand apart from the rest are:

• Eltham Station
• Greensborough Station
• Box Hill Station
• Melbourne Central
• Dandenong Station
• Collingwood Station
• South Morang Station

Melbourne bus stop system:

There are 346 bus routes in Melbourne, and travelling across the city is quick, easy, and convenient. Buses run across Melbourne city frequently and cover all significant hubs, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, sports and leisure venues. The best part about the bus route system is that it intersects the tram lines and trains. Therefore, it becomes convenient for passengers to plan the journey with ease from any city location.

Most of the buses operate on a reusable smart card system where you need to issue a card, and you can recharge it as per your travelling requirements. However, you need to purchase a separate ticket every time you commute to some cities and regional towns. You can buy tickets directly from the drivers.

You can book a bus or a coach from Greyhound, Transport Network Australia, and Bus Charter websites.

Bus stop design and development guidelines:

A bus stop contractor needs to consider the following rules and guidelines while building a bus stop:

• To let a wheelchair take a 90° turn, you need to keep 1500 mm x 1500 mm circulation space. Moreover, to ensure a wheelchair turns between 90° to 180°, keep the circulation space at least 1540 mm x 2070 mm.
• To accomplish AS 1428.1 (2009), you need to keep the minimum footpath width to 1800 mm as it can allow two wheelchairs to pass.
• For gradients, keep the maximum gradient for paths at 1:14.
• To meet the cross fall criteria, keep the path not steeper than 1:40.
• For gradients that are shallower than 1:33, no landings are needed. In addition, for gradients of 1:33, no max than 25mm intervals.
• Moreover, for the gradients of 1:20, no more than 15mm intervals.

Wrapping up!

Melbourne’s bus route system is one of the best in Australia and worldwide. Buses are quick and convenient, making them a popular choice for commuters. If you’re travelling to Melbourne, check out the unique designs of the city’s bus stops. You don’t have to worry about bus timing or routes; sit back and enjoy the ride!