Arabic version: مونتي إكسبريس يعيد ربط ميلدورا وأديلايد بالحافلات
According to ABC News, The Monty Express has launched to re-establish a direct road transport link between Mildura, Renmark and Adelaide. The service begins on October 12, restoring a route that has not been serviced for almost six years.
The coach will travel the 142-kilometre Sturt Highway stretch between Sunraysia and Adelaide via Renmark. Greyhound Australia ended its Mildura-to-Adelaide coaches in 2016, while another bus operator ceased operations in 2020 during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rex Airlines also terminated the lone direct Mildura-Adelaide flight in May 2023.
Former Sunraysia resident Stuart Saunders surveyed interest in returning a bus service six months ago and said support was overwhelming. He bought a 36-seat coach and named it The Monty Express after the family’s pet Cavoodle, Monty, as he moved from an information technology career into bus driving.
The service will initially operate twice weekly, leaving Adelaide on Mondays and Thursdays and returning on Tuesdays and Fridays. It is an express route with pick-ups at Mildura, Renmark, Adelaide Airport and the Adelaide Central Bus Station.
Under a service agreement with the South Australian government, The Monty Express cannot pick up South Australian residents unless they are travelling to Mildura. The arrangement is intended to avoid affecting passenger numbers on the existing Stateliner coach service between the Riverland and Adelaide.
Mildura transport enthusiast Steven Haby has booked a ticket for the first run. Cobdogla resident Tamille Hunter said existing travel to Mildura could take 24 hours and cost more than $600, involving a bus to Adelaide, a flight to Melbourne, a train to Swan Hill and a bus to Mildura.
