IN great news for Beveridge and Mandalay residents, the Route 511 bus service will be expanded, starting from Sunday, July 26.
The service, which runs from Craigieburn Station to Beveridge and Mandalay, will now have 322 new weekly trips, buses every 40 minutes all week, and longer operating hours, with weekdays covered from 5.30am to 10.40pm, Saturdays from 6.55am to 10.40pm and Sundays from 7.35am to 9.30pm.
The service will also include full coverage of Mandalay Circuit, which gives northern residents of Mandalay Estate a bus service for the first time.
Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Councillor John Dougall hailed the news.
“This is a significant improvement for Beveridge and a very welcome response to the needs of Victoria’s fastest-growing community,” he said.
“A more frequent service to Craigieburn Station will give Beveridge residents better access to trains, employment, education and essential services. It will make a real difference for young people, older residents, families and anyone who doesn’t have reliable access to a car.”
“We warmly welcome this expanded service and thank the Victorian Government for investing in better public transport for Beveridge.
“This is a major improvement, but Beveridge is growing rapidly and buses alone won’t meet the community’s long-term transport needs. Beveridge Station remains one of Council’s highest advocacy priorities.
“A train station would give this growing community direct access to the rail network, reduce pressure on the Hume Freeway and better connect residents with jobs, education and services across Melbourne’s north.
“These changes to Route 511 show what can be achieved when growing communities receive the public transport investment they need. We’ll continue working with the Victorian Government to build on this progress and secure a commitment to deliver Beveridge Station.”
Buses travelling from Craigieburn Station will loop around Mandalay Circuit anticlockwise, with the destination switching to Craigieburn Station before the bus enters the loop for peace of mind for passengers.
The bus will wait one to five minutes at Mantel Green/Lithgow Street before heading on to Craigieburn Station.
The route will continue to be extended towards the eastern part of Beveridge when roadworks are completed in 2027.