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.
COVID-19 Update:
With the City of Ballarat and City of Greater Geelong lockdowns over, the Golden Plains Community Bus has resumed both timetables. Bookings are open for the bus service, which is operated under COVIDSafe practices.
The Golden Plains Community Bus is a new shuttle bus service with a weekly run in the south of Golden Plains Shire on Tuesdays and in the north of the Shire on Thursdays.
Launched in July, the bus trial was intended to end on 8 October, however COVID-19 restrictions have meant the service was unable to operate for several weeks. To ensure a full trial and greater understanding of the need for transport in the Shire, the service has been extended until Thursday 23 December, 2021.
The bus is free for all passengers during the trial period from 20 July to 23 December 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.
Timetable
The timetable for the Golden Plains Community Bus is available to view or download below on this page and printed copies are available to pick 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
- Cape Clear Store
The bus timetable and maps will also be published in the Golden Plains Times in July.
The South Timetable: Tuesdays
| Town | Stop location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bannockburn | Bannockburn Plaza, 6 High St DEP. | 9.30am | 12.25pm | 3.05pm |
| Teesdale | Teesdale General Store, 1071 Bannockburn-Shelford Rd | 9.42am | 12.37pm | 3.17pm |
| Inverleigh | Inverleigh Public Hall, 71 High St | 9.56am | 12.51pm | 3.31pm |
| Shelford | Shelford Community Board, corner of Rokewood-Shelford Rd & The Parade Rd | 10.10am | 1.05pm | 3.45pm |
| Teesdale | Teesdale General Store, 1071 Bannockburn-Shelford Rd | 10.19am | 1.14pm | 3.54pm |
| Bannockburn | Bannockburn Plaza, 6 High St ARR. | 10.28am | 1.23pm | 4.03pm |
| Bannockburn | Bannockburn Plaza, 6 High St DEP. | 10.45am | 1.40pm | - |
| Batesford | Corner of Midland Hwy & Bridge St | 10.58am | 1.53pm | - |
| Geelong | Geelong Waterfront Skate Park, Western Foreshore Rd | 11.27am | 2.22pm | - |
| Batesford | Corner of Midland Hwy & River St | 11.44am | 2.39pm | - |
| Bannockburn | Bannockburn Plaza, 6 High St DEP. | 11.54am | 2.49pm | - |
The North Timetable: Thursdays
| Town | Stop location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smythesdale | The Well, 19 Heales St DEP. | 9.30am | 11.35am | 1.10pm | 3.15pm |
| Scarsdale | Scarsdale Post Office, 2069 Glenelg Hwy | 9.37am | 11.42am | 1.17pm | 3.22pm |
| Linton | Linton Shire Hall, 68 Sussex St | 9.47am | 11.52am | 1.27pm | 3.32pm |
| Scarsdale | Scarsdale Post Office, 2069 Glenelg Hwy | 9.57am | 12.02pm | 1.37pm | 3.42pm |
| Smythesdale | The Well, 19 Heales St | 10.04am | 12.09pm | 1.44pm | 3.49pm |
| Delacombe | Delacombe Shopping Centre bus stop, near Valiant Rd entrance | 10.18am | 12.29pm | 1.58pm | 4.10pm |
| Wendouree | Stocklands-Wendouree Shopping Centre Carpark at Gilles St Nth & Norman St | 10.48am | - | 2.28pm | - |
| Delacombe | Delacombe Shopping Centre bus stop, near Valiant Rd entrance | 11.09am | - | 2.49pm | - |
| Smythesdale | The Well, 19 Heales St ARR. | 11.20am | 12.40pm | 3.00pm | 4.21pm |
Bookings
To make a booking, call 5220 7151. Bookings are essential and only passengers with a booking can ride. After you make a booking, you must be at the selected bus stop location and ready to board the bus at the scheduled time.
FAQs
Who can ride the Golden Plains Community Bus?
All Golden Plains Shire residents are welcome to use the Golden Plains Community Bus service. There are limited spaces and booking are essential.
Where is the Golden Plains Community Bus available?
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.
What is the cost to ride the bus?
A project of Council with sponsorship from the Buninyong & District Community Bank, the bus is free during the trial period from 20 July to 8 October 2021.
How do I book a ticket on the bus?
The bus is free and no ticket is required. However, bookings are essential and only passengers with a booking can ride. After you make a booking, you must be at the selected bus stop location and ready to board the bus at the scheduled time. To make a booking, call 5220 7151.
How do I find the bus timetable?
The timetable for the Golden Plains Community Bus is available above on this page and printed copies are available to pick 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
- Cape Clear Store
The bus timetable and maps will also be published in the Golden Plains Times in July.
What COVID-19 measures will be in place?
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.
