14 August, 2025 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Victorian MP has uncovered a troubling issue with Melbourne’s bus services: scheduled buses that never arrive — so-called “ghost buses.”
Western Metropolitan Region MP David Ettershank conducted a survey of local bus users and discovered that the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) app often shows buses that have been cancelled or indefinitely delayed as still running.
“I was amazed to discover there is a fleet of ‘ghost buses’ travelling Melbourne’s roads. These buses aren’t there in reality but appear on tracking apps — it sounds like something from a Harry Potter film,” Mr Ettershank said.
One of the 240 survey respondents wrote:
“Ghost buses! Countless times buses just don’t show up, but the apps to track them don’t reflect the bus service has been cancelled.
I am tracking them on Google Maps or the PTV App and a bus apparently arrives at your stop, but the bus doesn’t actually exist. This happens almost weekly… Real-time tracking of buses is a reasonable thing to expect and when services are cancelled for operational or whatever reason, just update the app!”
Mr Ettershank expressed disbelief that Melburnians can reliably track a pizza delivery, but not a bus to work or school.
“Another respondent wrote, ‘It needs fixing. I’ve reported this to Public Transport Victoria, but they fob it off as the bus company’s responsibility.’
“Another person wrote that Melbourne’s tram tracker is great, and buses should use that. Then another respondent wrote, ‘I’ve seen the app showing no bus available, but then an empty bus rocked up taking two passengers to the train station.’”
Mr Ettershank says ghost bus situation feels like a bad joke
“Who are you not going to call? Ghost buses. But the people relying on public transport are not laughing. Public Transport Victoria needs to take responsibility and invest in installing trackers on buses so the PTV app can accurately track their journey.
“Perhaps these buses arrive in the wizarding world, and muggles like us just can’t see them.”
Survey respondents also called for:
- Updated bus routes — some haven’t changed in years
- Express bus services to major hubs and designated bus lanes
- Bus stops within walking distance of homes
- Better connections between bus and train services
- More frequent services (every 15 minutes)
- More electric buses and improved safety on buses and at bus stops
“Last year I called on the Allan government to make bus transport free, and I was encouraged that free public transport for everyone under 18 was then announced in the state budget,” Mr Ettershank said.
“Many people in the West have been waiting for a bus for literally years. PTV needs to ensure people can access reliable data to get them where they need to go, when they need to go.
“That will help get more people into the workforce, enable seniors to travel to community events, and make it possible for teenagers to go to sports training. Better buses is a win for everyone.”
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