In November 2017, Andrews government announced the government's proposal of the busway as a part of the North East Link project.[6] It will run from Doncaster via dedicated bus lanes on the Eastern Freeway to Hoddle Street, with a new bus station at the Bulleen Road intersection.[7] It had been planned for the busway to run along the median in the Eastern Freeway, but has since changed to be built adjacent north of the freeway to better integrate with the intermediate station at Bulleen.[8] The Manningham Council had expressed their support for the facility due to its public space inclusion and public transport benefits.[9]
The first part of the busway, Bulleen Park and Ride, has opened in April 2023. Construction of the main busway will commence in 2024.[10]
The park-and-ride was opened in January 2003 by the Bracks government partnered with the former National Bus Company.[11] It will be rebuilt as part of the construction of the project to enable entry to the busway.[10]
The station cost $69 million AUD,[12] and opened on 30 April 2023 four years ahead of schedule along with timetable and route changes.[13] It is fast-tracked due to expected impacts to Doncaster Park and Ride, which will be closed during its rebuild for the construction of the busway, and completing the facility early will remove the need for building a temporary park and ride station at the Doncaster interchange.[14]
Hoddle Street
Eastern Freeway
Train
Tram
Regional train*
Ferries
SkyBus
