Bus services between halls Gap and Brambruk will increase from one a day to three on Saturday’s and Sunday’s under a new and improved Halls Gap Valley Zone Route Service.
The overhaul also means services will be extended to major tourist nodes and accommodation sites at Halls Gap.
Buses will now operate along Grampians Road between the Halls Gap Gardens Caravan Park bus stop and Brambuk bus stop.
The service includes bus stops at Halls Gap Gardens Caravan Park, Halls Gap Hotel, Tims Place, Halls Gap Information Centre, Norval Camp, the corner of Tandarra Road and Brambuk Cultural Centre.
The new timetable will start on Sunday.
Sandlant Bus Company, Northern Grampians Shire Council and Public Transport Victoria (PTV) collaborated on the plans which have been approved by PTV.
Sandlant Bus Company owner Graeme Sandlant said the service upgrade would be a game changer.
“This visionary business plan introduces new route servicing through the Halls Gap Grampians valley floor and is well placed to grow new and exciting services into the future to meet public passenger transport needs,” he said.
“It will stimulate positive economic sustainability to government, local business operators, tourist nodes and accommodation providers into the 21st century.”
Northern Grampians Shire councillor Murray Emerson said this upgrade had been a work in progress for three years.
“The Northern Grampians shire is very excited about the fact that PTV, the Sandlant bus company and others have done a lot of hard work in getting the services extended to Halls Gap,” he said.
“Together we will also be doing further work into the future to make sure we increase our services to an acceptable service for everybody concerned.”
Tim’s Place owner Tim Walsh welcomed the changes. “It has always been very car-centric,” he said.
“It’s a win for tourism, it improves the service between Stawell and Halls Gap and people now can move through the valley floor with greater ease.”
