School bus networks and bus stops
We install and maintain eligible school bus stops, and review school bus networks.
Using the program
Run by the Department of Education, the School Bus Program helps families in rural and regional Victoria by transporting students to and from school.
View information on the:
- School Bus Program (including how to book a place in the program and propose a new route)
- Conveyance Allowance Program (financial help to pay for the school bus)
- Students with Disabilities Transport Program.
Request a change
To ask for a new bus stop or upgrade, contact the school bus co-ordinator of your child’s school.
Principals, schools and bus operators can ask us to:
- install a new bus stop on an existing route (within the government’s school bus program guidelines)
- upgrade a bus stop on an existing route
- upgrade existing infrastructure that helps improve safety around the school bus stop.
We will review these requests on a case-by-case basis.
Works we may do
When we install or upgrade a bus stop, we may:
- install bus stop warning signs
- lay gravel at the site of the bus stop
- work with the Department of Education about building or upgrading school interchanges.
We may need to inspect proposed bus stop sites before we install the stop.
Factors we consider
We consider several factors when we install or upgrade a bus stop, including:
- the number of students currently using a stop
- whether the stop will be used in the future
- the proximity of nearby stops
- the scope of work required, including costs
- expected level of safety of a stop once the proposed works are complete.
Bus stops must also be properly maintained in order for us to upgrade them. The owner of a bus stop site is responsible for maintaining it. In most cases, school interchanges are owned by a school, while roadside stops are owned by a relevant road authority.
Network reviews
In 2026, we may review these networks:
| Bellarine | Benalla | Casterton |
| Cobden | Cohuna | Colac |
| Derrinallum | Donald | Dromana |
| Drouin | Exford | Gisborne |
| Hastings | Horsham | Kerang |
| Kialla | Kialla West | Kyneton |
| Lavers Hill | Leongatha | Lilydale |
| Maffra | Manangatang | Monbulk |
| Mornington | Morwell | Newborough |
| Ouyen | Pakenham | Poowong |
| Portland | Red Hill | Robinvale |
| Rosebud | Sea Lake | Seymour |
| Shepparton | Stawell | Swifts Creek |
| Traralgon | Upper Yarra | Wedderburn |
| Whittlesea | Yarram | Yea |
We refer to the Practice Note No. 1 of 2019 when we conduct reviews. The practice note is a legal document describing how reviews can help improve a school bus network.
School bus operators can conduct reviews
Operators can get permission from us to carry out a school bus network review themselves.
To complete a review, ask your contract manager for the templates and documents required to carry out a network review.
Contract ballot procedure
In certain cases, we may hold a ballot to fairly assign contracts. View the school bus contract ballot procedure for more information.