Heathcote to Bendigo bus services are changing

Healthcote to Bendigo bus services were proposed to be changed to give passengers a more consistent and frequent timetable.

The proposed changes would give passengers five return trips between Bendigo and Heathcote on weekdays and three return trips on Saturdays. Two route options for buses in Bendigo were also considered.

Consultation on proposed changes to Heathcote and Junortoun to Bendigo bus services was held from 19 March to 30 April 2018. A summary of consultation findings is now available.

The outcome of consultation was announced on Friday 8 June 2018.

A new seven day-a-week bus service was announced - with five return services on weekdays and three return services on Saturdays and Sundays.

Buses will travel between Heathcote and Bendigo Station via McIvor Forest Drive, Strath Village Shopping Centre, and La Trobe University (Route Option 1 from consultation). This new route will give a growing pocket of Junortoun access to buses for the first time, and provide passengers with direct access to key health, shopping and education hubs.

Also, a full fare return trip from Heathcote to Bendigo will be halved from $20.60 to $10.80, while concession fares will drop from $10.30 to $5.40 return.

Other changes include Route 63 from La Trobe University to Bendigo Station being extended through to Bendigo Hospital, and the extension of some Route 71 services to Junortoun.

The new services will start 23 September 2018, with timetables available a month prior at ptv.vic.gov.au

Thank you to everyone who shared their views during consultation.