If you use public transport, it’s been a pretty big month of announcements in the lead-up to the Victorian Budget 2026/27. Public transport will be free for the whole month of May before dropping to half-price for the rest of the year, there will be more frequent train services, as well as a new fleet of X’Trapolis 2.0 trains. And now, the state government has announced that almost $100 million will be invested into providing more bus services around Melbourne.
“More buses north, south, east and west – and it’ll be half-price to ride for the rest of the year,” said Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams.
More bus services in Melbourne and beyond
These service improvements will help Victorian commuters save on money and time, with expanded hours, weekend services, new or upgraded routes in growing suburbs, and a boost in services that connect to universities. Here’s what you can expect.
Northern suburbs
- There will be improved access to La Trobe University, with additional weekday and evening services for Routes 301, 551 and 561
- More evening services and Sunday trips extended between Roxburgh Park and Pascoe Vale on Route 542
- More evening services between Mernda Station and RMIT Bundoora (Routes 386 and 387)
- More evening trips to improve connections between Sydney Road, Brunswick and Northcote Stations (Routes 508 and 526)
Western suburbs
- Melton South will have a new bus network, with two new routes
- There will be a new connection to Woodgrove Shopping Centre at double the frequency for Route 454. This route connects Melton and Cobblebank Stations, and currently runs every 40 minutes.
- More services between Moonee Ponds and Watergardens Station on Route 476
- Longer operating hours and more Sunday services between St Albans Station and Highpoint on Route 408
- A more direct link between Laverton Station and Aircraft on Routes 496 and 498
Eastern and south-eastern suburbs
- Longer operating hours, more Saturday services and a new Sunday service between The Pines and Nunawading Station on Route 273
- An additional service during school times between Box Hill Station and Burwood via Surrey Hills on Route 766
- Route 885 between Springvale and Glen Waverley Stations will have longer hours during the week, more weekend services and new Sunday trips
- There will be upgraded and extended routes across Botanic Ridge, Casey Fields, Clyde, Junction Village and Devon Meadows
- Route 777 will be expanded to operate between Karingal Hub Shopping Centre and Seaford
- Routes 802, 804 and 862 will provide better connections from Dandenong to Chadstone and Monash University
- Longer operating hours on weekdays, more Saturday services and new Sunday services on Route 236, which connects Garden City in Port Melbourne to Queen Victoria Market
- Increasing weekend frequencies for services between Carrum and Frankston on Route 833
- Longer operating hours between Berwick and Pakenham on Route 928
While the focus has mostly been on metro Melbourne, there will also be a few improvements to buses in regional Victoria. A new route will connect Drysdale and Ocean Grove. There will be more services on Bass Coast Coach routes from Cowes and Inverloch to Dandenong. And finally, there will be an additional return trip each day between Castlemaine and Harcourt.
To plan your journey, see the timetable or check routes, click here.