Bendigo transport data shows 4 per cent public use amid 30-minute delays and 10 extra bus runs

Bendigo V/Line services to Melbourne now allow an extra 30 minutes of travel time because of reduced speeds on flood-affected sections, while trains and coaches to Swan Hill and Echuca stay suspended until further notice.

The 4 per cent share of trips made by public transport in Greater Bendigo, set against 78 per cent made by car, places current disruptions in a wider pattern of regional travel choices. Bendigo sits 150 to 164 kilometres north of Melbourne, with typical driving times between 1.8 and 2.8 hours on the Calder Freeway.

Service counts and route details

Bendigo Metro is adding 10 extra weekday bus services to Epsom Station plus one additional evening service to Eaglehawk under the Victorian Government's public transport plan. The city operates 16 bus routes, most run by Christian's Bus Company and centred on Bendigo Railway Station. V/Line ticket holders already receive free transfers onto these local buses.

Hourly V/Line trains from Southern Cross Station reach Bendigo in 90 to 120 minutes under normal conditions. Pedestrian safety upgrades at the Chapel Street and Hargreaves Street intersection, including new traffic lights, remain on track for mid-2025 completion.

Route options and timing

The West Gate Tunnel, due to open in late 2025, will give drivers travelling between Bendigo and Melbourne an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and better CityLink links. Severe thunderstorms have already produced signal faults that delayed some Melbourne-bound services, prompting passengers to check updates before travel.

Commuters can monitor the transport.vic.gov.au site and the PTV app for the latest changes to Bendigo line services and local bus timetables. The extra 30-minute buffer on Melbourne runs and the added Bendigo Metro trips provide concrete adjustments that travellers can factor into daily plans.