Catherine McAuley College Bendigo is well-served by the urban and country bus networks. Students have access to four bus networks: Urban Bus Travel (suburbs of Bendigo), Country Bus Travel and Castlemaine Bus Travel and CMC Charter Service

All enquiries regarding bus travel to Coolock (Junortoun) are directed to the Bus Coordinator Miss Erin Varker on 5445 9100 or email evarker@cmc.vic.edu.au. Other useful contacts are:

• Christians Buses – 5447 2222
• Regional Country  Bus Co-ordinator – Country Bus Network – 4433 4317
• VLine – 5440 2739

Bus Bays at Coolock Campus

See below for bus bay allocations. Staff will assist new students with finding their bus bay and correct bus.

Country Bus Network – Student Transport Assistance Portal (STAP)

Students who reside in areas serviced by the School Bus Program, including some areas of Strathfieldsaye, are eligible for country bus travel. Travel on the country bus network is free to eligible travellers.

2025 Travel

Travel applications can be made at the Student Transport Assistance Portal website: https://studenttravelassistance.educationapps.vic.gov.au/

Please find below the quick reference guide for new travellers, and bus information for new enrolments. All families that have students in Years 7 and 10 in 2025 are required to apply for travel through the Student Travel Assistance Portal

PTV Automated process: Families that have students in Years 8, 9, 11 and 12 in 2024 and who are current travellers will be renewed automatically in the system for 2025, but you will be required to accept the offer by logging into your account. If you are a term-based traveller, an application must be completed each term and term fees paid,  to be eligible to travel. All travel allocations for 2024 will be sent from mid November. Please ensure you log in to your account and accept this offer to avoid reallocation of your position.

Applications are now open for new enrolments or students changing campuses; to avoid being wait-listed please apply as soon as possible. All travel allocations for 2025 will be sent from mid-November 2024, so please ensure you log in to your account and accept this offer.

Important: St Mary’s Country Bus Travellers – Tom Flood Shuttle Buses

A reminder to St Mary’s Country Bus travellers that ALL students are required to take their allocated shuttle bus between the Tom Flood Sports Centre and St Mary’s Campus. Students should not walk between these locations as it is a breach of their conditions of travel. If they require any further information, please contact the Bus Coordinator, Miss Erin Varker  5445 9100.

CMCB Charter Service

This service is run by the College for students in the areas of Eppalock, Axe Creek, Mandurang, Sedgwick, Strathfieldsaye and Junortoun. It provides support to the country services in these areas and allows a direct route to the Junortoun campus.

There is a cap on the number of seats available. Students who are successful will only travel on this service and will no longer be eligible for the Country Service that they may previously have travelled on.

All approved CMCB Charter Travellers are required to complete a Conveyance Allowance Form. Further information will be sent later in Term 4 regarding 2025 Charter Bus positions, after the Expression of Interest has closed.

Please contact the Bus Coordinator for further information evarker@cmc.vic.edu.au.

Urban Bus Travel (School Bus Specials)

Coolock (Junortoun) is well serviced by a network of buses from all areas of Bendigo. Please refer to the current timetable to check for the best option for your student. Travel on these buses is paid by using tap on tap off myki or by purchasing a yearly student bus pass.

The 2025 PTV Student ID and Student Pass Application form will be available in January. Please click ‘Read important information for Urban Bus Travellers’ below for details and to download the form.

Travellers who reside more than 4.8kms from the College may be eligible for Conveyance Allowance. This allowance is only available to those travellers who have purchased a bus pass.

Castlemaine Bus Travellers

Castlemaine and district travellers are able to access the Castlemaine direct service. Please complete the form below and email to the Bus Coordinator, Erin Varker at evarker@cmc.vic.edu.au or phone 5445 9100 for further information.