Have your say on Geelong bus future

A review into Geelong’s bus services has officially begun, and the community is being invited to share their thoughts at one of the pop-up consultations across the region.

The state government allocated funding in its 2025/26 budget to explore ways to improve the bus network across high priority regional areas, including Geelong.

The review will consider several options for the public transport bus network in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn, including:

• Improving bus access to jobs, shops, education and new housing developments
• Making buses simpler and more direct for faster travel
• New town/suburb bus connections, to make more journeys possible
• Improving connections with trains, buses and other transport modes, and
• Adding more services and extending operating hours.

Pop-up sessions will begin from next week:

• Thursday, 12 March, 10.30am-11.30am at IGA Local Grocer Queenscliff
• 12 March, 1-2pm at Gateway Plaza Leopold
• 12 March, 4-5pm at Lara Village Shopping Centre
•  24 March, 2-3pm at Drysdale Coles
• 24 March, 4.30-6pm at Geelong Station
• 25 March, noon-1.30pm on Malop Street, outside Westfield Shopping Centre
• 25 March, 3.30-5pm at Bannockburn Central Shopping Centre
• 26 March, 1.30-3pm at The Village Warralily Shopping Centre
• 26 March, 4-5pm at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre
• 27 April, 10-11am at Corio Village Shopping Centre
• 27 April, 1-2pm at Portarlington Woolworths, and
• 27 April, 3-4pm at Ocean Grove Coles.

Geelong MP, Christine Couzens, said buses were central to local public transport, connecting people to jobs, schools, trains, hospitals and homes.

“The area is growing, with new housing and development changing how people move around the area.

“Alongside the Allan Labor Government’s commitment to free public transport for Under-18s, I want to continue to expand our transport network.

“That’s why we’re planning for future bus services now, to keep up with growing communities.

She said she wanted local experiences to guide the improvements in Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn.

“Your feedback will help better understand your experience using local buses, or why you don’t use buses and what would encourage you to start.

“Planning changes to the bus network takes time, and this consultation is one step in that process.”

Previous reporting has highlighted the importance of an improved bus network across the region.

The state government earlier announced a review of bus services in Geelong and surrounds, while the City of Greater Geelong has also sought community feedback to shape an Integrated Transport Strategy.

Consultation began on Tuesday this week and will close on 12 April.

For more information or to have your say, head to engage.vic.gov.au/Geelong-bus