UN 244: Better Buses to Big Shopping Centres

Executive Summary: Improved buses to major shopping centres are the 'low hanging fruit' of the bus world. They have high patronage gains relative to their cost and often do not need network reform or new bus purchases. Many examples given here. Large shopping centres are also major destinations and employers. Especially for young people and students who are major public transport users. Retailing is already getting a higher political profile as new premier Ben Carroll talks up his K-mart Airport West background. Unlike industrial areas or airports, major shopping centres already have extensive bus networks. At least on paper. Look up almost any local area public transport map. You will see many routes converging on shopping centres. It's not uncommon for shopping centres to have 10 or more bus routes feeding them. The problem is that many have timetables that are out of kilter with retail activity. For instance buses may start too late and finish too early for worker shifts. And it is…