Residents of train starved north-eastern suburbs will lose dedicated bus lanes that are key to making their lengthy commute manageable.

Bus lanes built on Williamsons Road and Fitzsimons Lane in Templestowe in 2014 under a $5.8 million project to make buses more reliable, will be removed and given over to cars.

The 901 SmartBus is one of many servicing Melbourne's north-east that will lose its dedicated bus lane. Credit:Wayne Taylor

The lanes, which also double as cycling lanes, give priority to nearly 400 buses a day.

This includes the Melbourne's busiest bus routes – SmartBus routes 901 and 902 – which carry nearly 13,000 people daily.