Residents in Armstrong Creek, Charlemont and Torquay are hopping on board a revitalised public transport network, with the Victorian government reporting a surge of around 100,000 additional bus trips taken since the rollout of upgraded services last June.
The upgrade delivered an additional 500 weekly services, including three new routes: Route 52 linking Marshall Station and Jan Juc, Route 53 between Geelong and Torquay and Route 54 connecting Marshall Station and Torquay.
The overhaul also extended evening and weekend operating hours and strengthened links between Torquay, Armstrong Creek and central Geelong, including direct access to Moorabool Street.
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“This is a real win for our growing Armstrong Creek, Charlemont and Surf Coast communities,” member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney says.
“Locals are getting the bus services they deserve, with more reliable connections to schools, shopping centres, health services, as well as V/Line services.”
The new network provides improved connections to local landmarks such as Torquay Beach, Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, Deakin University, and Geelong and Marshall train stations, a major step forward in supporting public transport in the region.
The school bus network has also benefited, with expanded and better-targeted services now helping students get to Bellarine Secondary College, St Ignatius College, and Oberon High School. The existing Route 45 service has been extended to serve Oberon directly, improving access for students in Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek.
Public and active transport minister Gabrielle Williams says the upgrades reflect the government’s commitment to delivering accessible, connected transport for all Victorians.
“We’re providing better bus services to the Torquay, Charlemont and Armstrong Creek communities, and more V/Line services on the lines they connect with, giving residents and visitors more reasons to leave the car at home,” she says.
Underpinning the changes is Victoria’s Bus Plan, the state’s blueprint for increasing bus patronage by making services more direct, frequent and reliable.
Since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested over $890 million in bus services, adding more than 22,000 new weekly services across the state.
As part of the 2025/26 Budget, $162 million has been earmarked for a comprehensive review of the Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula town bus networks.
“These upgrades are making it easier for people to get where they need to go,” Tierney says.
“Whether it’s into town, off to work, or out to enjoy different parts of our region.”
With passenger numbers on the rise and more improvements on the horizon, the government’s investment is clearly resonating with local communities and driving meaningful shifts in how regional Victorians travel.
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