UN 233: Six steps for better public transport to the new Footscray Hospital

Summary: Despite having a tram and several bus routes nearby, public transport access to the new Footscray Hospital is slower, less direct and less frequent than it should be. While the hospital has been under construction for years no opportunity was taken to substantially revamp surrounding public transport in time for its opening. This item proposes several cost-effective measures that could improve public transport access to the hospital for both visitors and staff. A new study, published in the June 2026 Journal of Transport and Health, finds significant geographical inequality across Melbourne in terms of public transport access to hospitals. This was found to affect health outcomes. Outer suburbs typically fared worse due to inferior public transport longer distances to the main teaching hospitals. Existing transport to Footscray HospitalI examined public transport services to hospitals (including the then Footscray Hospital) back in 2022. The previous year I looked at PT…