New SkyBus link for Melbourne’s west, revamped Peninsula service

A NEW SkyBus service will see Melbourne’s outer west connected to Tullamarine, providing a direct link to the airport. Here’s where you can get on board.

Airport travellers using SkyBus. Picture: Jason Edwards

RESIDENTS in Melbourne’s outer suburbs will be able to catch the SkyBus directly to the airport.

From July 1, a new ­Werribee-to-Melbourne airport service (via Tarneit) will provide passengers in the western suburbs with a direct link to the airport.

Initially, the new service will run every hour, seven days a week between 7am and 7pm, but will become a half-hourly service in 2019.

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The new service will give those in the western suburbs a direct link to the airport. Picture: Jason Edwards

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said: “We’ve delivered a new contract that will modernise, expand and upgrade Melbourne’s airport bus services to deliver more services to passengers.

“Our new airport bus service contract puts passengers first when it comes to airport bus service planning and delivery.”

The route will begin at Werribee RSL and stop at Tarneit Railway Station before travelling directly to Tullamarine Airport.

“The Western Express service with a Werribee and Tarneit connection will give local residents a reliable, convenient and affordable ride to and from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport,” SkyBus Co-CEO and Director Michael Sewards said.

“We have ordered purpose built, Victorian-made buses to cater for this service, so the residents can rely on SkyBus as a comfortable airport transport service when travelling.”

Treasurer and Werribee MP Tim Pallas commended the new service.

“This is great news for people out west, with the new service between Melbourne Airport and Werribee directly connecting passengers between Tullamarine and Melbourne’s growing western suburbs for the first time,” Mr Pallas said.

The peninsula express service will also be revamped with simplified fares, a new “turn-up-and-go” service, additional Rosebud and Mornington services and new stops in Mordialloc and Mentone from where the bus will travel straight to Melbourne airport.

In addition to this, kids will travel for free and the standard family fare will be cheaper.

The new consolidated contract will allow the state government to introduce an airport rail line between Melbourne CBD and Tullamarine Airport.

As part of the new contract, SkyBus will invest $7.5 million in 15 new, locally manufactured buses to increase its fleet.

The new contracts start on July 1 and will last ten years should SkyBus meet strict performance targets.