Bus boost for Bellarine school routes

OCEAN Grove school bus services are set to receive a multi-million-dollar boost thanks to a state government rollout of additional routes during the next two years.

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll announced last week that Bellarine services would be part of the $25 million improvement to school transport committed during the 2022-23 state budget in a program targeting growth areas for young families.

Routes to Bellarine Secondary College, Drysdale’s Saint Ignatius College, and Sacred Heart and St Joseph’s colleges in Geelong would be part of the additional services.

The government said it would roll out the new services over the next two years, with most services to start in time for the 2024 school year.

“We’re giving Victorians parents and students better access to school bus services in the regional and metropolitan growth areas where there is high demand, and they are needed most,” Mr Carroll said.

“Through Victoria’s Bus Plan we’re delivering a modern, productive, environmentally sustainable bus network that increases the number of people choosing to take the bus.”