New bus route
A new high-speed bus service trial between Huntingdale Railway Station and the University’s Clayton campus will start next week providing many staff and students with a quicker and easier journey each day.
Operating initially as a one-year trial, Route 601 will run express from Huntingdale Station along North Road / Wellington Road to the campus.
University Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel who attended the launch of the service yesterday (12 July) said he was very pleased this new bus service would be operational in time for second semester.
“Thousands of students and staff will benefit from the faster commute to campus that the 601 will offer," Dr Finkel said.
“The new service, along with the recent announcement of a feasibility study into a Rowville rail line - which would include a train station here at the campus, are important steps in the right direction to make accessing the Clayton campus easier for staff, students and visitors.”
The University's Director of Environmental Sustainability Paul Barton said the University actively encouraged the use of public transport and an easing of the congestion around Huntingdale Station would make travelling by train a more viable option for many.
“We aim to reduce both staff and students reliance on cars to commute to campus. An increase in daily express services from Huntingdale should significantly decrease waiting times at the station, which have acted as a disincentive in the past," Mr Barton said.
“We hope this encourages more members of the University to regularly use public transport.”
During the University semester, Route 601 will operate approximately every four minutes from 7am to 7pm on weekdays only, and every 12 minutes between 7pm and 9.30pm.
Route 601 will operate on a pre-pay system to reduce waiting times and passengers will require a valid ticket prior to boarding.
The service will run in the Zone 1/2 overlap, meaning either a Zone 1 or Zone 2 ticket is valid. Both Metcard and Myki tickets can be purchased from Huntingdale Station and Monash University.
Existing bus Routes 900 and 630 will continue to operate between Huntingdale Station and the University, including on weekends and public holidays.