Route 601 (Melbourne)
# Route 601 (Melbourne)

601 is one of Melbourne's many university shuttle buses. The route operates in between Huntingdale Station on the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines to Monash University, Clayton campus and takes about 5 minutes on average. The bus route is one of the most used in Melbourne with buses usually being crowded even during peak frequencies with buses arriving every few minutes.

## History

Prior to opening the route there were numerous complains about the lack of service from Huntingdale railway station to the Clayton Campus as both 630 and 900 failed to provide sufficient service to meet demand. 601 opened in 2011 as transport option for students and staff at Monash University to travel from their homes to the campus more quickly and efficiently , initally the route was launched as a trial run for 1 year. In the first year of operations the route has become very successful and also doubled patronage on the Huntingdale-Monash coridoor, due to the success it was evident that the route would be staying. The bus route is Melbourne's busiest, in 2014 the route had an average weekly patronage of 22,000 (an average of 4,400 daily). In 2018 with the suburban rail loop announcement the bus route will likely be connected with the line at Monash University via the newly built Monash railway station. In 2022 route 601 was chosen by CDC Melbourne to operate trial runs for new electric buses.

## Stops

### Huntingdale Station

Main Article Huntingdale railway station

Huintingdale Station is the western terminus of the bus route. It offers connections to the Pakenham/ Cranbourne lines. The bus stop includes several features including a bin, a shelter and a PID. Bus routes 630, 704 and smartbus 900 also serve this station.

### Monash University, Clayton Campus

Main Articles: Monash University, Clayton campus and Monash railway station

Monash University is the eastern terminus of the bus route. This stop serves Monash University's Clayton Campus. The bus stop is also served by routes 630, 703, 733, 737, 802, 804 and 900.

