As a regular Kalamunda commuter the actual reason people in Kalamunda wait for the 295 rather than catching the 296 is because it goes straight down Kalamunda Rd rather than snaking through Gooseberry Hill, Maida Vale and High Wycombe. That saves far more time than missing 5-6 bus stops between Redcliffe and Vic Park.goroundandround wrote:Commuters at Kalamunda Bus Station routinely watch a 283 and a 296 leave empty while waiting 5-10 minutes for the limited-stops 295. And, generally, they get to the city sooner.
In fact, if you look at the timetable, the 295 is 2-3 mins quicker than the 296 between Kalamunda bus station and Kalamunda Rd/Abernethy Rd but only 1 min quicker between Redcliffe and Vic Park. Limited stops does mean that the service is more reliable, but even then the real advantage is being able to go straight along Kalamunda Rd (particular as the 296 is very slow through High Wycombe during peak times).
Honestly though, when leaving the city I would just catch whichever bus showed up first. The 296 might be slower, but it would still get to Kalamunda before the 295 service that departed 10 mins later.
The 282 and 283 don't even rate a mention. They are awfully slow and it is painful having to ride the whole length of either route. From Kalamunda to the CBD around 07:15 the 282 takes 82 mins and the 295 takes 69 mins - and whilst the 295 is often early, the 282 is usually late. I feel sorry for people living in Lesmurdie because that really is a shocking journey.