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. 

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

The survey revealed the following results:

o    95 respondents said that they would use a regular transport service to Bendigo on a Saturday,

o    90 respondents stated that they wished to travel for social reasons, and 17 noted that they wished to travel for sport / recreation,

o    49 respondents stated that they only required a Saturday bus service outside of football season, whilst 33 people stated that they only required a bus service during school holidays.

o    17 respondents stated that they preferred that a Saturday bus service ran all year.

o    41 respondents stated that they preferred monthly travel, whilst 40 requested a fortnightly bus service, and 21 people asked for a weekly service.

As a result of this survey, the Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership has chartered a bus service between Woomelang and Bendigo (via Birchip, Wycheproof and Charlton) on the first Saturday of each month for a period of six months, in order to further evaluate the community support for this type of transport service.  Passenger numbers and further survey data will assist the partnership to determine the ongoing need for such a service at the end of the trial period. 

The first service was launched on the 7th of November, 2009, and six passengers travelled to Bendigo.  Since then the numbers have steadily grown with 31 people travelling in December and 17 travelling in January 2010.

A passenger survey has been conducted in order to determine the demographics of the people using the service, and has revealed that many older people are also using the bus in order to travel to Bendigo for various social reasons, and that younger people were accessing the bus from as far away as Hopetoun.

The Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership will continue to survey the passengers, and will now develop a funding submission to the Department of Transport for further funding.  If successful, the funding will ensure that the service continues to provide vital access for rural Victoria well beyond the initial trial period.

Please click on the following link for information regarding the timetable, bus stops and contact details..... woomelang to bendigo final draft.pdf