New Trial of Community Bus Service

Media Release

Golden Plains Shire Council is pleased to trial the Golden Plains Community Bus, a new shuttle bus service with a weekly run in the south of the Shire on Tuesdays and in the north of the Shire on Thursdays.

The bus is free for all passengers during the trial period from 20 July to 8 October 2021. A project of Council, the Golden Plains Community Bus trial is funded by the Victorian Government and a sponsorship from Buninyong & District Community Bank. 

In the south, the Golden Plains Community Bus service will be provided in Teesdale, Inverleigh, Shelford, Bannockburn and Batesford, travelling to and from Geelong Waterfront every Tuesday. In the north, the bus service will be provided in Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale, travelling to and from Delacombe Town Centre and Stockland Wendouree in Ballarat every Thursday.

The bus timetable and maps are available at Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au and printed copies can also be picked up at the following locations: Council’s Customer Service Centres, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale; Linton Takeaway, Scarsdale General Store, Smythesdale Post Office, Ross Creek General Store, Inverleigh General Store, Teesdale General Store and Post Office, Bannockburn Post Office and Cape Clear Store.

The Golden Plains Community Bus service will be operated under COVID-19 guidelines and all passengers must wear face masks. There are limited spaces and booking are essential. For more information or to make a booking, call 5220 7151.

Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Helena Kirby encourages local residents to take a ride on the Golden Plains Community Bus during the service trial.

“The desire for more transport options from our smaller towns in the Shire to the neighbouring regional centres has been a strong theme that we’ve heard from residents in our community engagement.

“With a weekly run in the north and the south of Shire, the Golden Plains Community Bus is a free service for residents to travel into Geelong or Ballarat, for shopping, appointments, eating out or visiting friends. The drop-off locations have connecting transport options to travel to further destinations in the city.

“Council has established this bus trial in response to community requests and we encourage locals to try it out. We will track the popularity of this community transport service to help inform future decisions on local transport, which is an important action in our Council Plan 2021-2025.”

The Golden Plains Community Bus service trial was launched in Scarsdale on Thursday 15 July. Left to right: Bus driver Darryl Jenkins, Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Cr Helena Kirby and Ian Corcoran, Chair of Buninyong & District Financial Services Ltd met the bus at the Scarsdale General Store.

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