The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has called on the Allan Labor Government and the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, to provide a school bus centre review for the Shepparton electorate.
Ms O’Keeffe’s calls come as the Victorian Parliament returns for the first sitting week for 2026 and off the back of the Allan Labor Government’s announcement last year that from January 1 2026, children under the age of 18 would travel free on public transport including trains, buses and coaches.
“My office has been contacted by concerned families and schools across the Shepparton District electorate regarding the lack of capacity on existing school routes and the increased capacity following the government’s introduction of free public transport for children under 18.
“Whilst free public transport for children under 18, is welcomed we need to ensure that there is a process of how this will be managed and to ensure that students will be able to get a seat on a bus,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
In 2025, the Victorian Government listed Shepparton as a potential school bus centre for review as part of the School Bus Centre Review Program.
Ms O’Keeffe said this review should be a “priority” following the government’s announcement of free public transport for children under 18.
“Parents are contacting my office deeply concerned that their children are at risk of being left behind at bus stops once a bus is at full capacity.
“For working families and students travelling from surrounding towns and isolated areas, there are often no alternative transport options.
“The Shepparton District electorate is a growing region and we are being let down when it comes to adequate and reliable transport services.
“It has been well over 15 years since we last had a bus service review and since this time our region has experienced significant growth.
“But it’s not just bus services, as a region we are still awaiting on the completion of the Shepparton Line Upgrade that was due to be completed in 2023 with daily services increasing from five to nine. We still continue to experience overcrowding on our V/Line services.
“It’s time that the Allan Labor Government and Minister Williams listen to our concerns and delivers the much-needed bus reviews we have been calling for and to provide a timeframe when the Shepparton Line Upgrade will be competed.”
