4.2.2 Regional Coach Services

(2017).

Regional coach services provide access to long-distance regional travel. These services are operated by V/Line and typically require paper tickets. Tickets can be purchased online, at existing train stations or can also be purchased at the following locations: Bannockburn Newsagency, Lismore Newsagency and Post Office, Meredith Corner Store, and Skipton Roadhouse and Newsagency. Table 4–1 provides a summary of the three available coach services in Golden Plains, their frequency and their estimated costs. It is noted that the costs of services vary according to the distance travelled. V/Line coach services to both Geelong and Ballarat primarily run at non-commuter times, even though most employed people in Golden Plains travel to Geelong or Ballarat for their employment.

Table 4–1: Summary of regional coach services

Line or Network Description

Bendigo –Geelong via Ballarat

V/Line coach providing north-south connections through Batesford, Gheringhap, Bannockburn, Lethbridge and Meredith. Mon – Thu: 3x each way

Melbourne – Mount Gambier via Ballarat and Hamilton

Utilises a combination of train and coach services. The coach component services between Ballarat and Mount Gambier, and travels through the northern part of Golden Plains with stops at Smythesdale, Scarsdale, Linton, and Skipton.

Ballarat – The coach services the northern part of Golden Plains, with stops at Smythes Creek, Haddon, Smythesdale, Scarsdale, Linton, Skipton.

Weekday Services

Fri: 4x each way

2x each way

1x each way

Weekend Services

Sat: 3x each way Sun: 2x each way

Typical Adult Fares (One way)

Bannockburn to Geelong: $4.80 Bannockburn to Ballarat: $8.60 Max: $33.80

2 x each way Smythesdale to Ballarat: $4.80 Skipton to Hamilton: $19.00 Max: $52.00

None Smythes Creek to Ballarat: $2.40 Smythes Creek to Warrnambool: $20.80 Max: $20.80

The implications of these low frequencies is that the services are useful for one-off long distance trips or very specific repeat usage, but not for short commutes to Ballarat, Bannockburn or Geelong for short-duration stays (such as social visits) because the waiting time at each end could be extensive. Regional coaches are also provided with high-floor buses to accommodate luggage. This high-floor and stair arrangement makes the coaches less accessible.