The Buloke Shire is located in the more rural, remote section of Victoria and is extremely isolated from outer regional and provincial cities.  As a result many people who do not drive have decreased access to various social and recreational activities, with very limited public transport services available.

The Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership undertook a community consultation in the Buloke Shire in 2009, in order to determine the actual need for people to travel to Bendigo on a Saturday.  A samply survey was conducted amongst the youth population in the townships of Woomelang, Birchip, Wycheproof and Charlton, and the results yielded widespread support for a monthly Saturday bus service to Bendigo.

As a result of this survey, the Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership chartered a bus service between Woomelang and Bendigo, (via Birchip, Wycheproof and Charlton) on the first Saturday of each month, in order to further evaluate the community support for this type of transport service.  The trial was successful, and Public Transport Victoria has since conducted a formal bus trial, resulting in a decision to fund this service on a recurrent basis.

This has been a fantastic result for the southern mallee, and has demonstrated how important it is for people to be able to travel to larger areas for social and recreational reasons.

For more information, please click on the following link - Buloke Transport Services