The nine weekday and five weekend return services to Melbourne began operating on Sunday, August 23, three years after they were promised by the Victorian Government in 2023.
Ms Lovell said that Greater Shepparton now needed a new bus timetable to ensure that bus services were co-ordinated to match the extra train services.
The Victorian Government is currently reviewing feedback from bus reviews conducted for Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
Shepparton’s last bus review was conducted in 2009.
New areas of housing have been built since that review and do not have any bus services.
Ms Lovell spoke in parliament to urge Transport Minister Vicki Ward to initiate a bus review for Greater Shepparton and to increase the number of parking spaces at Shepparton train station.
Steve Brooks, the Liberal Party candidate who will lead the Coalition ticket at the November state election, said that a bus review for the region was overdue and the current services were not fit for purpose.
Mr Brooks acknowledged the late delivery of the new train services and said buses in Shepparton “have got to be a service that co-ordinates with V/Line”.
“The current system falls well short,” Mr Brooks said.
Transport Victoria has announced additional bus services in Seymour from August 23 to operate alongside the new trains.
Coach timetables have also been updated between Shepparton, Seymour, Moama, Cobram, Tocumwal and Griffith.
When asked for comment, a Victorian Government spokesperson would not directly confirm whether or not Shepperton would receive a bus review.
“We know how important bus services are to regional communities, which is why we’re reviewing regional bus networks to deliver more services where and when Victorians need them, including a school bus review,” the spokesperson said.
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