New school bus routes and weekend services launched for Maitland and Newcastle

newy.com.au – New and upgraded school bus services will begin across Maitland and Newcastle from Term 1, 2026, alongside extra weekend public transport services in Maitland, under changes announced by the Minns Labor Government on Friday 30 January 2026.

The NSW Government said the changes were designed to meet rising demand in fast growing areas, reduce overcrowding and provide more reliable trips for students heading to school and home again.

In Maitland, a new route 2802 will connect students directly from Maitland High School to High Street, Maitland, where it will become a new 185 service linking Lorn, Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and Largs.

Route 1471 has been altered to connect Maitland Christian School and Hunter Valley Grammar School students with Chisholm, while an altered 2396 service will replace route 0342 for Tenambit Public School students. The 0342 service has also been changed to stop servicing Tenambit Public School and instead serve Maitland Grossman High School, with the government saying it would get students home to Metford earlier.

Beyond the school run, Route 185 connecting Largs and Maitland via Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and Lorn will receive three extra Saturday services and eight extra Sunday services.

In Newcastle, two new services have been introduced for students attending Merewether High School and the Hunter School of Performing Arts, including a new morning route 2337 from The Outlook Estate through Nikkinba Ridge in Fletcher and Wallsend before continuing to the schools.

A new afternoon service, route 6300, will operate from the two schools via Wallsend and Nikkinba Ridge, terminating at The Outlook Estate.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the changes reflected Maitland’s growth, adding that “good public transport here isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s essential”. She said the upgrades meant “a more reliable trip to and from school, less overcrowding and fewer pressures during peak times”.

Acting Minister for the Hunter and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the announcement followed improved bus services across Cessnock and surrounding suburbs, and that “getting children to school safely and on time is non-negotiable”.

Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said newer estates such as Nikkinba Ridge and growing communities around Wallsend and Fletcher needed services that kept pace, while Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said increasing the school bus fleet was an investment that could reduce traffic and lower emissions.

The government said the improved services rolled out on 27 January 2026, and families can check Transport for NSW’s trip planner for updated routes and timetables.