ROUTE 677
Lilydale Railway Station – Chirnside Park Shopping Centre via The Gateway (8/5/2006 – Present)

Operator(s):
Croydon Bus Service t/a Invicta Bus Service: 8/5/2006 – February 2009
Grenda Corporation t/a Invicta Bus Service: February 2009 – January 2012
Ventura Bus Lines: – Present): January 2012 – Present

Summary:

Route 677 was introduced by Croydon Bus Service t/a Invicta on 8/5/2006 to provide service through the then new Gateway estate north of Lilydale Station, which was beyond the reach of the existing Area 1 TeleBus. It provided also improved coverage to both the Cave Hill Rd light industrial precinct and Lilydale Heights College.

It acts as a local feeder to Lilydale Station and shopping precinct, along with serving the sub-regional Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, travelling along the northern (Switchback Rd) and western (Edward Rd) edges of the Area 1 TeleBus zone. It is noteworthy that 677 fails to stop in the vicinity of the Switchback Rd shopping strip, which has an Area 1 fixed stop adjacent.

Due to resident protests with stop locations, Invicta decided to operate a “Hail and Ride” section throughout The Gateway estate, with passengers able to board at any safe location. Signage elected indicates this unique feature (for Melbourne at least) however this has led to customers simply waiting at locations with flags!

The initial peak timetable for 677 had local shortworkings between Lilydale Staiton & The Gateway before 8am & after 6pm, operating direct in the counter-peak direction. With various network revisions on 5/12/2011, these trips were amended to operate the full length of the route to/from Chirnside Park.

Grenda Corporation purchased Croydon Bus Service in February 2009 but retained the Invicta brand. The operation changed hands again on when Grenda Corporation sold to Ventura in January 2012, who progressively phased out the Invicta name over the next 2 years.

Timeline:

8/5/2006:

• Route 677 introduced, proving new coverage to The Gateway in Lilydale and provide fixed route coverage to parts of Chirnside Park such as Switchback Rd and Edward Rd
• Uniquely features a “Hail and Ride” section within The Gateway estate in Lilydale

 

5/12/2011

• Revised timetable to improve train connectivity, particularly at peak times
• Peak hour trips extended to operate to/from Chrinside Park instead of shortworkings from Lilydale Station to The Gateway Estate, improving options for both rail commuters and shoppers

22/04/2012:

• Revised Saturday timetable to meet updated Lilydale Line timetable (with 10 min trains between Ringwood & City)

 

Route Descriptions & Maps:

Route 677 (Lilydale – Chirnside Park via The Gateway) as at 8/5/2006:

To Chirnside Park: Departs from the terminus at Lilydale Railway Station and travels via Maroondah Hwy, Cave Hill Rd, The Gateway, Victoria Rd, Switchback Rd, Edward Rd, View Point Dr, El Centro and Kimberley D to the terminus at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre.

PLEASE NOTE: The Gateway in the Gateway Estate is a Hail & Ride area only. Please hail bus from any safe location.

 

To Lilydale: Departs from the terminus at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre and travels via View Point Dr, Edward Rd, Switchback Rd, Victoria Rd, The Gateway, Cave Hill Rd and Maroondah Hwy to the terminus at Lilydale Railway Station.

PLEASE NOTE: The Gateway in the Gateway Estate is a Hail & Ride area only. Please hail bus from any safe location.

 

Ticketing:

Initially Route 677 began as a Zone 3 service but with the removal of Zone 3 on 4/7/2007 transitioned into a Zone 2 service.

 

Patronage

 

Route 677 Annual Patronage
Financial Year	Annual	Weekdays	Saturdays	Sundays
2008 / 2009	40,527	161	?	–
2009 / 2010	43,412	181	?	–
2010 / 2011	45,325	187	?	–
2011 / 2012	45,646	173	?	–
2012 / 2013	?	?	?	–
2013 / 2014	?	?	?	–
2014 / 2015	50,477	177	?	–

Service frequency:

 

Span & frequency as at 8/5/2006:

 

Weekdays – as a 8/5/2006
Direction	Span	Early	AM Peak	Inter peak	PM Peak	Twilight	Late
Lilydale to The Gateway Estate	0655 – 1855	–	20 – 50	60	25 – 60	–	–
Lilydale to Chirnside Park	0805 – 1750	–	50	60	25 – 60	–	–
Chirnside Park to Lilydale	0819 – 1815	–	50	60	40 – 60	–	–
The Gateway Estate to Lilydale	0637 – 1903	–	20 – 50	60	20 – 60	–	–

 

	Saturdays – as at 8/5/2006
Direction		Span	Breakfast	Brunch	Afternoon	Twilight	Late
Lilydale to Chirnside Park		1003 – 1503	–	60	60	–	–
Chirnside Park to Lilydale		1020 – 1520	–	60	60	–	–

 

There was no service on Sundays under the 8/5/2006 timetable for Route 677.

 

 

Span & frequency as at 5/12/2011:

 

Weekdays – as a 5/12/2011
Direction	Span	Early	AM Peak	Inter peak	PM Peak	Twilight	Late
Lilydae to Chirnside Park	0700 – 1910	–	30	60	30	–	–
Chirnside Park to Lilydale	0616 – 1916	–	30	60	30 – 60	–	–

 

Saturdays – as at 5/12/2011
Direction	Span	Morning	Afternoon	Twilight	Late
Lilydale to Chirnside Park	0906 – 1706	60	60	–	–
Chirnside Park to Lilydale	0921 – 1721	60	60	–	–

There was no service on Sundays under the 5/12/2011 timetable for Route 677.

 

Span & frequency as at 22/4/2012:

 

Weekdays – as at 22/4/2012
Direction	Span	Early	AM Peak	Inter peak	PM Peak	Twilight	Late
Lilydale to Chirnside Park	0700 – 1910	–	30	60	30	–	–
Chirnside Park to Lilydale	0616 – 1916	–	30	60	30 – 60	–	–

 

Saturdays – as at 22/4/2012
Direction	Span	Morning	Afternoon	Twilight	Late
Lilydale to Chirnside Park	0905 – 1656	60	60	–	–
Chirnside Park to Lilydale	0920 – 1711	60	60	–	–

There is no service on Sundays under the 22/4/2012 timetable for Route 677.

 

Public Holidays:

Route 677 generally does not operate on public holidays unless they fall on a Saturday, when a standard timetable may apply (e.g. ANZAC Day 2015).

 

Summer Holiday Period:

Route 677 continues to operate as normal during the summer holiday period.

 

Timetable downloads: