Getting to and from school is easier for students in Lucas and Cardigan with the introduction of three new school bus services from the beginning of this term, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Students in Cardigan Village have a new service linking them with Lucas Primary School, Siena Catholic Primary School and Ballarat High School this term.
Two additional direct services have also been introduced for students in Lucas attending Ballarat High School.
Cardigan and Lucas are among the latest areas to benefit from extra school bus services announced last year as part of a $25 million initiative to introduce, modify and extend school services across the state.
The Government announced funding in the Victorian State Budget 2022-23 for a four-year program to improve school bus services for students, initially targeting recently opened schools in growth areas, especially where limited public transport alternatives might be available.
In the first phase, 15 schools in metropolitan and regional areas will get a new or improved school bus services. Other schools benefitting from new school bus services in term three are Bannockburn P12 College and St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary school.
The new Cardigan school service departs at 8.15am dropping off students at Lucas and Siena Primary Schools on the way. It leaves Ballarat High School for the return trip at 3.27pm, picking up students at the two Lucas primary schools around 3.47pm.
The new Lucas school services are staggered giving more options for parents. The first departs at 7.55am from O’Shannassy Parade, with an 8.25am service departing from Shortridge Drive. Return services to Lucas will also be staggered departing from Ballarat High School at 3.25pm and 4.07pm.
The initiative further puts into action Victoria’s Bus Plan to meet demand, enhance accessibility and performance, and deliver value for money for all passengers.
New services under the School Buses initiative will be rolled out progressively with most new services to start in the 2024 school year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll
“We’re giving Victorians parents and students what they want with better school bus services in the regional and metropolitan growth areas like Lucas and Cardigan where they are needed most.”
“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.”
Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“We’re supporting families in the growing communities of Lucas and Cardigan Village by ensuring students have better access public transport access to primary and secondary schools in the area through these three new school bus services.”
