All aboard! New school bus services roll into Maitland and Newcastle
- intouch Magazine
- 33 minutes ago
- 3 min read
As Hunter kids get ready to head back to school next week, the Minns Labor Government is today announcing better school bus connections – ensuring a growing population of local families have the services they need for the school run.
From the start of Term 1, 2026, students across Maitland and Newcastle will benefit from new and upgraded school bus services. These services have been introduced to meet rising demand, reduce overcrowding and get kids to school, and home again, safely, smoothly and on time.
The improved services rolled out on 27 January 2026, giving families the confidence that transport is in place and working as students return to the classroom.
"Maitland is growing, and our transport services need to grow with it," Minister for Regional Transport and Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said. "For families and students, the school run is part of everyday life. These new bus services mean a more reliable trip to and from school, less overcrowding and fewer pressures during peak times - helping students arrive ready to learn and get home safely at the end of the day."
In Maitland, the improvements to the bus services have gone beyond the school gate. The local community is also enjoying better weekend public transport, with Route 185 - connecting Largs and Maitland via Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and Lorn - boosted with extra Saturday services and brand-new Sunday services.
"The additional weekend services in Maitland are another big win, giving our whole community more flexibility to get where they need to go - whether that be a sports game, visiting friends and family or simply ducking to the shop," Minister Aitchison said.
These changes reflect the Minns Labor Government's commitment to practical, community-focused transport solutions that support families, get students to and from school, and make regional life even better across the Hunter.
A new route 2802 service will connect students directly from Maitland High School to High St Maitland, where it will become a new 185 service connecting students and the broader community to Lorn, Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and Largs.
An altered 1471 service will connect Maitland Christian School and Hunter Valley Grammar School students with Chisholm.
An altered 2396 service will replace route 0342 for Tenambit Public School students
An altered 0342 service will no longer service Tenambit Public School and will now service Maitland Grossman High School, getting students home to Metford earlier.
Route 185 Maitland to Largs and Gresford via Lorn and Bolwarra, will receive three additional Saturday services and eight additional Sunday services
In Newcastle, students attending Merewether High School and Hunter School of Performing Arts in Newcastle will benefit from enhanced school bus services.
The changes include the introduction of two new services:
Route 2337 (Morning): This new morning service will travel from The Outlook Estate, through Nikkinba Ridge in Fletcher and Wallsend, before continuing to Merewether High School and Hunter School of Performing Arts.
Route 6300 (Afternoon): The afternoon service will operate from Merewether High School and Hunter School of Performing Arts, travelling via Wallsend and Nikkinba Ridge in Fletcher, and terminating at The Outlook Estate.
"Frequent and reliable bus services relieve pressure on students and their parents," Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said. "Getting to school on time gives students a strong and focused start to the day, ready to learn and succeed."
Acting Minister for the Hunter, Paul Scully emphasized the importance of the upgrades: "Getting children to school safely and on time is non-negotiable. Education matters and it's central to the Hunter's future."
For further information about new school bus services, families are encouraged to visit https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip
