Community bus hire and commercial bus subsidy
Council decided at its March 2025 Council meeting to transition from its current bus hire model.
To help with the transition, Council will offer bus hire subsidies to eligible community groups and organisations from September 2025 until June 2027.
Eligible community groups and organisations can continue to book Council’s community buses until 31 August 2025.
The booking process until 31 August 2025
All community organisations that hire the Surf Coast Shire community buses have a shared responsibility to ensure the safe operation of the buses.
Council is a registered bus operator with Bus Safety Victoria and the rules below are in compliance with the Bus Safety Act.
Who can hire a bus?
Not for profit groups in the Surf Coast Shire, for activities of their group.
How many people can fit on the bus?
The 12-seater bus will fit up to 12 people, including the driver. The 28-seater bus will fit up to 28 people, including the driver.
What are the costs?
- 12-seater bus - up to 4 hours: $52 (inc GST) + fuel
- 12-seater bus - 24 hours: $78 (inc GST) + fuel
- 28-seater bus - Youth Activities - 24 hours: $78 (inc GST) + fuel
The bus is provided to the hirer with a full tank of petrol and must be returned with a full tank of petrol and in a clean conditions. Penalties apply for late return, fuel not filled up and cleaning fees if required ($250 each).
Booking a community bus
If it's the first time your group is hiring a bus, before booking, please complete the Community Bus Use, Access and Registration Form. This document includes the conditions of hire and is required before a booking can be made.
To check availability:
- Anglesea Community Bus
- Lorne Community Bus
- Torquay Community Bus
- Winchelsea Community Bus
- Winchelsea Bendigo Bank Community Bus (28 Seater)
Picking up the keys
Keys can be picked up from the following locations during business hours. Collect the keys at the agreed time from the locations listed below:
|
Key Collection |
Pickup & Drop Off Bus |
|
Torquay bus
|
Council Offices, 1 Merrijig Drive Torquay
|
Torquay Depot
130 Messmate Road, Torquay
|
|
Anglesea Bus
|
Anglesea Community House
|
Anglesea Community House,
Entrance 4, 5 McMillan St Anglesea VIC 3230
|
|
Lorne Bus
|
Lorne Visitor Information Centre
15 Mountjoy Pde, Lorne
|
Lorne Community Connect
Mountjoy Pde, Lorne |
|
Winchelsea Buses
|
Hesse Rural Health
8 Gosney St, Winchelsea
|
Hesse Rural Health,
8 Gosney St, Winchelsea |
Picking up the bus
Collect the bus at Don’t forget to fill in the driver’s checklist before you leave (this can be found on the booking form).
Returning the bus
Return the bus to where you got it from at the agreed time – don’t forget to complete the driver’s checklist when you return the bus.
Returning the keys
Return the keys and the driver's checklist at the agreed time once you have returned the bus.
Child Safety
Surf Coast Shire is a child safe organisation, and the wellbeing of children and young people will always be our priority. If you are an organisation that provides services / programs to children and young people, you must understand your obligations under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 and the Child Safe Standards.
How to apply for the commercial bus hire subsidy from 1 September 2025
Eligible community groups and organisations in the Surf Coast Shire can apply for subsidised commercial bus hire fees from 1 September 2025.
Eligible priority groups – such as older people and people with a disability – will receive a 100% subsidy for each booking, totalling a maximum $1,500 each financial year.
All other community groups – including sports clubs and schools – are eligible for a subsidy of 50% towards the value of each booking, with a maximum $250 per claim and totalling a maximum $750 each financial year.
After eligible groups/organisations have booked and paid through their chosen transport provider, they can submit an online form so we can refund the group/organisation with the amount.
Check your eligibility and find out how to access the bus hire subsidy