Improvements to the Yarra Valley bus network

Following community consultation, the Department of Transport and Planning is making improvements to the Yarra Valley bus network.

When we consulted the local community, people told us they want a bus network with more direct routes that are better connected to other public transport options to give people more choice of where they want to travel.

The changes being introduced to the Yarra Valley bus network will see four routes streamlined into two routes, complicated route deviations removed, additional services added, and simplified timetables.

The changes are designed to streamline the network, expand customer travel choices, and improve productivity and patronage on the network.

Download the consultation summary report (PDF) 316 KB to see what the local community said.

Frequently asked questions

  • Route 684 Eildon - Melbourne via Lilydale Station

    • Route 684 will be shortened due to low patronage and will no longer travel to the CBD.
    • The service will extend to Ringwood Station instead of Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, providing additional transport connections.
    • Route 684 will wait for up to 20 minutes at Ringwood Station for late running trains, ensuring Eildon passengers do not miss their connection.
    • Ringwood Station will give passengers greater access to more trains with a turn up and go service at the station. Ringwood also provides greater access to Eastland Shopping Centre, the eastern suburbs and medical and social services such as Maroondah and Box Hill hospitals.
    • Transferring to the train network at Lilydale or Ringwood stations also improves service reliability and travel time, avoiding delays faced by the existing bus service due to traffic congestion.
    • Route 684’s Sunday timetable will also match the Saturday timetable making weekend trips to Melbourne CBD for Eildon and Alexandra residents easier.

  • Route 685 Lilydale - Healesville via Lilydale Station & Coldstream & Yarra Glen

    • Route 685 will be upgraded to link Healesville, Healesville Sanctuary, Badger Creek, Coldstream and Yarra Glen and become the primary public transport connection to Lilydale Station.
    • Services will increase to a 40-minute frequency on weekdays and Saturdays and a 60-minute frequency on Sundays and more evening services will be added.
    • Timetables will be simplified with complicated route variations between Healesville and Lilydale reduced and the route extended to Healesville hospital on weekdays between the school peaks.

  • Route 686 Healesville to Badger Creek

    • Route 686 will be replaced by the extended Route 685 which will provide a consistent service to the Badger Creek area.

  • Route 687 Healesville to Chum Creek

    • Due to low patronage, Route 687 will be discontinued.

The final changes will be introduced in late 2023.

The Department of Transport and Planning will conduct an information campaign in advance of the final changes being introduced.

An online survey about the proposed changes was held on the PTV website for five weeks from 21 March to 24 April 2022. Four in-person information sessions were held during this five-week period.

There were 1,742 unique visitors to the PTV web page, with 102 completing the online survey and a further 73 providing feedback at in-person information sessions.