SkyBus will run a direct bus service between Werribee and the Melbourne Airport from next month.
The new Western Express service, which is scheduled to start on July 1, will run for 10 years if the operator meets performance targets.
The service will pick up passengers outside the Werribee RSL before stopping at the Tarneit train station and continuing to Melbourne Airport.
The service will operate seven days a week between 7am and 7pm. From next year, the buses will run every half hour.
The state government announced on Monday it had signed a contract with SkyBus that boosts services to outer suburbs.
SkyBus co-chief executive and director, Michael Sewards, said that the introduction of the Werribee-to-airport service was an exciting venture.
“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,” he 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.”
Werribee MP Tim Pallas welcomed the announcement.
“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,” he said.
Last year, SkyBus began running services between Werribee and Avalon airport as part of its express Melbourne-to-Avalon shuttle service. The Avalon-Melbourne buses stop at the Werribee RSL on Synnot Street.
More than 3.8 million trips are taken on SkyBus each year, with the services supporting about 330 jobs.
For more information on the new SkyBus Western Express, visit skybus.com.au.
