Advancing Smart Urban Planning: Public Transit Connectivity and the Case of Melbourne’s Bus Network

This study investigates the significance of public transit connectivity in promoting intelligent urban planning, utilizing Melbourne’s bus network as a case study. Concentrating on the city’s main growth corridors, North, Southeast, West, and Southwest, the research examines the effects of rapid population growth on the accessibility and efficiency of the bus transport system. By leveraging data from the Victorian Planning Authority and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the study evaluates service coverage, frequency, and travel time reliability concerning key urban functions, such as access to employment, education, healthcare, and social infrastructure. The findings indicate notable spatial and temporal disparities, with the Southeast and Southwest corridors facing the most severe service deficiencies. These discrepancies obstruct the establishment of an integrated and equitable transport system, which is a vital element of intelligent urban planning. Consequently, the paper suggests specific strategies to enhance service frequency, broaden network coverage, and implement late-night operations. These proposals are designed to facilitate Melbourne’s shift towards a smart, inclusive, and sustainable urban future by improving transit equity, decreasing car reliance, and bolstering connectivity in underprivileged suburban regions.