New Bus Services for St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar

Update

12 February, 2026

Update regarding our two new bus services operating from Greta, East Branxton, Branxton, Radford Park (Route 1), and St Helena Estate, Greta, North Rothbury and Huntlee (Route 2) to St Joseph’s College Lochinvar.

As you are aware, demand for bus services across the Lochinvar area continues to significantly exceed the available capacity. While responsibility for school transport sits with the NSW Government, the Diocese has made the decision to invest in a temporary, interim bus service to support our students’ safe and reliable access to school, while we continue to advocate strongly for longer-term government solutions.

Route adjustments

Effective Monday 16 February, route adjustments will be implemented across Route 1 and Route 2 to assist in managing demand and improving the overall operation of the services.

As part of this change, stops 13 (Devon St at Whitburn St),14 (3 Kent St),15 (Leconfield Rd at Stonebark Ct,), 20 (60 Evans St,), 21(29 Wyndham St,) and 22 (High St after Hunter St) will be removed from Route 1.

Stops 1 (Clift St at Maitland St), 2 (Bridge St at Fleet St) and 9 (Terriere Dr after Enderle Dr) will be removed from Route 2.

Details of these changes can be found in the maps below.

Route 1

Effective from Monday 16 February

Click here to view the Route 1 – Branxton to St Joseph’s via Radford Park, East Branxton and Greta map.

Route 2

Effective from Monday 16 February

Click here to view the Route 2 – North Rothbury to St Joseph’s via Huntlee map.

A range of alternative bus services continue to be available to students, which are listed below.

Morning – 0032 Greta, Lochinvar, Rutherford

Morning – 6360 Singleton Heights, Belford, Greta, Metford

Morning – 2441 East Branxton, Branxton, Greta

Morning – 2331 Branxton, Lochinvar, Windella, Maitland

Morning – 2261 North Rothbury, Branxton, Lochinvar, Rutherford

Morning – 2411 Branxton, Greta, Lochinvar, Rutherford

Afternoon – 2452 Ashtonfield, Maitland, Rutherford, Lochinvar, East Branxton, Maitland

Afternoon – 6347 Metford, Branxton, Singleton, Gowrie

Afternoon – 0451 Metford, Ashton, Lochinvar, Singleton

Afternoon – 2253 East Maitland, Rutherford, Lochinvar, East Branxton

Priority allocation for the remainder of Term 1

To provide consistency and predictability for families for the remainder of Term 1, priority allocation for the afternoon services on Route 1 and Route 2 will continue to operate as follows:

Year 7 students
Siblings of Year 7 students
Senior students
Year 10 students
Year 9 students
Year 8 students

Once each bus reaches capacity, remaining students will be required to access the existing bus services that service the College. Based on recent experience, each bus has reached capacity shortly after senior students have boarded.

To support the effective operation of these services in the morning, we ask that, where possible, Year 7 students, their siblings and senior students prioritise boarding these services. We also remind families that these services operate with strict capacity and safety requirements, and all students must be seated and wear seatbelts for the duration of the journey.

We recognise that this may cause inconvenience for some families, and we appreciate your understanding as we manage the limitations of available capacity.

Review beyond Term 1

Following the conclusion of Term 1, this process will be reviewed to gauge its effectiveness.

We understand that transport plays a critical role in students’ daily access to education, and we acknowledge the frustration that can arise when services are under pressure. Please be assured that this arrangement reflects our genuine effort to support our community while broader systemic transport challenges persist.

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we navigate this temporary solution together. We will continue to keep families informed as reviews are undertaken and changes are made.

Update 29 January 2026

In exciting news for our families, Catholic Schools and the Diocese have given approval for two new bus services operating Greta, East Branxton, Branxton, Radford Park, and St Helena Estate, Greta, North Rothbury and Huntlee to St Joseph’s College Lochinvar.

These bus services will commence on the first school day of Term 1, Monday 2 February 2026. Details including route and scheduling can be found below in the FAQs.

A procurement process was conducted to secure these services and Grace Coaches was awarded the tender. A summary of the service inclusions, safety and technology is as follows:

57-seat belted school buses

Note: Students must wear seat belts at all times as it’s a legal requirement.

Air-conditioned buses

Fully trained accredited drivers with Working with Children checks

Weekly brake and mechanical checks

Live GPS Tracking and onboard CCTV

History of clean and well-maintained fleet

Locally based drivers.

All students accessing the service are expected to behave in accordance with our School Community Code of Conduct and Expectations of Behaviour and in a way that ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers and drivers. 