A trial bus service that provides vital connections between Mount Egerton and Ballan, and Daylesford and Ballan, has been extended until at least January next year.
The service, run by Bacchus Marsh Coaches (BMC) since 2012, operates Monday to Friday to cater for residents working in Melbourne or Ballarat.
BMC general manager Dave Nickels praised Public Transport Victoria (PTV) for continuing the links, which meet V/Line train services. “It connects these communities to the train,’’ Mr Nickels said. ‘‘If it was taken away, there’d be no connection from Daylesford and Hepburn to Ballan, and that’s significant.”
The Mount Egerton-Ballan service allows commuters nine and a half hours in Melbourne, and almost 10 hours in Ballarat. It also stops at Gordon.
The bus link from Daylesford to Ballan allows for the same time in the urban hubs and is more suited to those travelling to Melbourne, as it arrives in Ballarat early and leaves late. It has 10 stops including at Old Hepburn and Spargo Creek.
Moorabool councillor Allan Comrie, who has been driving buses for more than 55 years, welcomed the extension. “We want to keep it going for as long as possible,’’ Cr Comrie said.
‘‘Council fought a long time to get these services going, and Ballan needs it.”
Moorabool chief executive Rob Croxford said the community and council had long advocated for improved public transport connections in Moorabool’s west.
“News of the extended trial is encouraging and a great result for those communities who rely on it.”
Mr Croxford urged residents to continue using the service so that it could become permanent beyond next year.
