Parliament of Victoria | Legislative Council | Constituency Questions
17 February 2026
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan Region):
My question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. My constituent is a single mum living in Mount Atkinson. She is grateful that after years of advocacy the government has finally put them on the public transport map after announcing a new 140 bus route from Rockbank to Tarneit via Mount Atkinson in the 2024–25 budget.
However, for now, she and her kids remain in an island community with no access to any public transport. She currently spends significant time and money on petrol and rideshares to get her family where they need to go.
My constituent asks: can the minister provide a clear commitment and timeline for the 140 bus route, and if the long or uncertain timeline is due to procuring electric buses, why not have a temporary regular bus sooner rather than later?
Written Answer
Received: 23 June 2026
Hon. Gabrielle Williams MP
(Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport, Minister for Women and Girls)
I thank the Member for Western Metropolitan Region for his question.
The Allan Labor Government recognises the important role buses play in meeting the travel needs of people living in Melbourne’s growing suburbs. Buses are a vital part of Victoria’s integrated transport system, with around 400 regular bus routes servicing metropolitan Melbourne, and local bus networks operating in regional towns and cities.
This is why we have invested more than $990 million into new and upgraded bus services, adding more than 24,000 extra bus services to our network. This includes our investment in the 2026/27 Victorian Budget of almost $100 million towards new and improved bus services, including expanded bus hours and weekend services, new and upgraded routes in growing suburbs, and more services for routes connecting to universities. This builds on the $162 million invested in the 2025/26 Victorian Budget and the $180 million invested in the 2024/25 Victorian Budget for even more bus uplifts.
Thanks to these ongoing investments, last year this government introduced a series of service uplifts across Melbourne’s west, including:
- service uplifts on Routes 170 Werribee Station – Tarneit Station via Werribee Plaza, 180 Werribee Station – Tarneit Station via Tarneit Road, 190 Werribee Station – Wyndham Vale Station via Ballan Road and 192 Werribee Station – Wyndham Vale Station via Black Forest Road.
- the new Route 154 Tarneit Station – Laverton Station via Truganina.
- the new Route 194 Werribee – Wyndham Vale Station via Harpley and Mambourin.
- service uplifts to Route 153 Williams Landing Station -Werribee Station via Princes Highway.
In addition to those improvements now implemented, a number of funded bus network service uplifts are currently in planning for Melbourne’s west, including:
- a package of new and extended bus routes connecting passengers in growth areas to train stations, including Riverwalk, Kings Leigh, Cobblebank, Thornhill Park, Aintree and Deanside
- new and upgraded bus services in Tarneit to provide access to the new West Tarneit Station
- upgraded services to improve access to Caroline Springs town centre and Watergardens Station
- a new bus route for Cairnlea to Deer Park Station
- a new bus network for Melton South with two new routes, and an upgrade to Route 454 – including a new connection to Woodgrove Shopping Centre and a frequency uplift.
- more services between Moonee Ponds and Watergardens Station (Route 476)
- longer operating hours and more Sunday services between St Albans Station and Highpoint (Route 408).
For commuters in Rockbank, Mt Atkinson and Grandview estates, I am pleased to advise that the new Route 140A bus is coming on 28 June 2026. This will give residents direct access to Rockbank Station by public transport for the first time.
This route is an early introduction of the Route 140, which will come into full effect later this year and connect to Tarneit Station once roadworks on Highline and Kirkpatrick Boulevards are complete. This will deliver access to public transport for new residential estates, and create an important cross-suburban link between Melton and Wyndham.
These improved connections will make it easier for locals to access work and education, as well as making family trips to the city for the footy and weekend shopping trips simpler. It will run every 20 minutes most of the day on weekdays and every 40 minutes most of the day on weekends.
The early introduction of Route 140A will improve access to public transport and, combined with Labor’s half price fare initiative in place between 1 June 2026 and 1 January 2027, will provide locals with relief from cost of living pressures.
[ENDS]
