Go West: Melbourne’s West To Get 470 New Bus Services From July 1

Photo: PTV/ Facebook

For decades, Melbourne’s west—home to the city’s largest and fastest-growing South Asian communities—has watched as trams glided through the leafy east and trains zipped to the affluent south. 

While much of Melbourne enjoys a world-class mix of trains, trams, and well-connected bus routes, the west has long lagged, its transport network a patchwork that never quite kept pace with booming populations and new arrivals.

The story is familiar to many families from Tarneit, Werribee, Wyndham Vale, and beyond. As families built new lives in these suburbs, they faced long waits for buses, limited late-night options, and patchy connections to train lines or shopping hubs.

Historically, government investment in public transport focused on older, established suburbs, while the west—once industrial, now multicultural and residential—was left playing catch-up.

More Bus Services From July 1

Photo: PTV/ Facebook

That’s finally changing. Starting July 1, Melbourne’s western suburbs will see a major upgrade: 470 new weekly bus trips across four key routes—170, 180, 190, and 192. 

These routes will run more frequently and later into the evening, making it easier for shift workers, students, and families to get home after work, shopping, or a late-night cricket match.

The improved network will connect major train stations like Werribee, Tarneit, and Wyndham Vale, and link communities directly to shopping centres including Pacific Werribee, Manor Lakes Central, Tarneit Central, and Wyndham Vale Square.

“We understand the importance of buses to local communities which is why we’re getting on with improving routes and adding new services, especially in our growing suburbs,” said Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams.

“More evening and night services on our busiest routes reflect changing travel patterns, including the increase in people travelling to and from the city in the evening for our major events, hospitality and work,” added Williams.

In the Victorian Budget 2025/26, the government announced  $162 million investment in new and improved bus services. The extra services in Melbourne’s west are a part of that investment. 

What Does This Mean for the Community?

• More frequent services and extended operating hours: Routes like 170, 180, 190, and 192 will have more trips and run later into the evening.
  

• Extra weekday services: Extra services on Routes 167, 495, 498 to improve connections to Werribee, Tarneit, Williams Landing and Hoppers Crossing stations.
  

• New routes: A new Route 140 will connect Rockbank and Tarneit, offering a cross-suburban link through Truganina and improving connections between Melton and Wyndham. 
  

• Route extensions: Route 497 will be extended to Saltwater Coast Estate, providing better access to the area. Route 191 will be extended to Manor Lakes and Jubilee Estate in Wyndham Vale. Route 441 will be extended to Riverwalk Estate. 

  
  

• Improved connections: Bus services are being upgraded to better connect with train lines, like the Ballarat line, and to improve access to key destinations like shopping centres and train stations. 

• Future Funding: Funding for seven new or upgraded bus services, across Tarneit, Tarneit West, Rockbank, Aintree, Deanside, Cairnlea, Thornhill Park, Cobblebank and Mt Atkinson.

While this upgrade is a big step, residents know there’s more to do. As Melbourne’s west continues to grow, ongoing investment is needed to ensure transport keeps pace with the vibrant, diverse communities who call it home.