Victoria will expand bus services across metropolitan and regional areas under a near $100 million investment in the 2026/27 state budget, aimed at improving connections to jobs, education and local services.
The package includes longer operating hours, more weekend services and new or upgraded routes across Melbourne’s north, west, east and southeast, as well as parts of regional Victoria.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the changes would ease cost pressures and improve access to public transport.
“More buses north, south, east and west – and it’ll be half-price to ride for the rest of the year,” she said.
“With Donald Trump’s war driving up costs at home, more bus services help Victorians save money and time.”
In Melbourne’s northern suburbs, services will be expanded to improve access to La Trobe University with additional weekday and evening trips on routes 301, 551 and 561. Evening and Sunday services will be extended between Roxburgh Park and Pascoe Vale on route 542, while routes 386 and 387 will run more frequently between Mernda Station and RMIT University Bundoora Campus. Routes 508 and 526 will also see more evening services linking commuters to Sydney Road and nearby train stations.
In the west, a new bus network will be introduced in Melton South, including two new routes. Route 454 will offer a new connection to Woodgrove Shopping Centre with increased frequency, while services will be boosted between Moonee Ponds and Watergardens Station on route 476. Route 408 will operate longer hours with more Sunday services between St Albans and Highpoint Shopping Centre, and routes 496 and 498 will provide a more direct link between Laverton Station and Aircraft.
Across Melbourne’s east and southeast, operating hours will be extended and weekend services increased on multiple routes. Route 273 will introduce Sunday services between The Pines and Nunawading Station, while route 766 will add an extra school-time service linking Box Hill and Burwood via Surrey Hills. Route 885 will extend weekday hours and add Sunday services.
Several routes in growth areas including Botanic Ridge, Casey Fields, Clyde, Junction Village and Devon Meadows will be upgraded or extended. Route 777 will run between Karingal Hub Shopping Centre and Seaford, while routes 802, 804 and 862 will improve connections between Dandenong, Chadstone and Monash University. Additional weekend frequency will be added to route 833 between Carrum and Frankston, and route 928 will run longer hours between Berwick and Pakenham.
Regional areas will also see changes, including a new route linking Drysdale and Ocean Grove, an extra daily return trip between Castlemaine and Harcourt on route 3, and more services on Bass Coast Coach routes connecting Cowes and Inverloch with Dandenong.
Member for Pascoe Vale Anthony Cianflone said the upgrades would support local communities.
“For families in Melbourne’s North, these service improvements will help people get to jobs and services.”
Member for Preston Nathan Lambert said the changes would strengthen links to key destinations.
“We are investing in our bus network to connect locals to train stations, jobs and universities – including more services between Reservoir Station and La Trobe University.”
The government said the expanded network is designed to improve reliability and coverage as Melbourne’s outer suburbs continue to grow, with a focus on better integration with train services and major activity centres.
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