Philip Mallis 🇺🇦New post: the broken Box Hill Bus Station lift https://philipmallis.com/2026/02/05/the-broken-box-hill-bus-station-lift/
One other ongoing disruption is that the only lift to access the rooftop Box Hill Bus Station is still broken. It's been broken since at least last week. This is a major problem and is being poorly managed.
There is no disruption information anywhere from PTV or public transport operators.
There is no alternative for people to get to or from the bus station if they are in a wheelchair or otherwise need to use a lift.
This is on private property (a shopping centre) so it is entirely dependent on them to fix anything, and they don't seem to be in any hurry.
Not the escalator this time but still just as disruptive!
The Transport Victoria website has been updated and now includes an "AI Chatbot" of questionable utility.
Can't answer very basic questions and doesn't seem to add much value to the website. I would rather they focus their effort on fixing the many errors and improving things like wayfinding online and across the network instead.
It can be accessed by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom right hand corner of your screen but only appears on some webpages (notably not the homepage). Should work on this page: https://transport.vic.gov.au/help-and-support/other-public-transport-help/find-lost-property-on-a-train-tram-or-bus
#Melbourne #MelbourneTrains #MelbourneTrams #MelbourneBuses #PublicTransport #Transit #ai
First bus that I've seen fitted with the new myki readers. Kinetic bus 388009.
They do take up a bit more space than the older ones and are liable to be bumped into on account of the card reader jutting out - especially as they are near the doors - but they do seem more responsive and easier to use.
Rejoice! The down escalator appears to be fixed (for now) and is working as of today. Nearly a week of it being broken.
So far it has been broken for nearly a third of the year (30% of 2025).
Unfortunately it looks like we're set for a repeat of the 2024-2025 saga when the down escalator at the Box Hill Bus Station was broken for over four months.
It has now been broken again for at least five days straight. No signage or assistance for people to figure out how to get down.
This evening the up escalator was broken as well, and people were walking up and down it because there was no signs or anything else on what to do.
Once again an appalling situation at one of Melbourne's busiest bus interchanges with no information on what is happening or when it will be fixed.
The down escalator at Box Hill is broken yet again! Only 194 days since it was fixed.
Hopefully it doesn't take over four months to repair again...
At least 100 people waiting for late buses on Lonsdale Street on a Sunday. Some are running 30+ minutes late.
There are no bus lanes or other bus priority on what is the busiest bus corridor in the CBD.
Kinetic bubble bus operating a Route 504 service at the north end of Rathdowne Street in Carlton North
Bus passengers of the eastern suburbs - rejoice!
Despite breaking down again yesterday, it seems that the Box Hill Bus Station escalator is back up and running today.
Have updated the counter accordingly and hopefully I can now shut up about it: https://philipmallis.com/2025/02/07/the-box-hill-bus-station-escalator-saga/
