A new bus service has launched connecting Mildura in Victoria's north-west to South Australia.
From this week, a bus named The Monty Express will be travelling the 142km stretch of the Sturt Highway between Sunraysia and Adelaide via Renmark.
It has been nearly six years since the route was serviced, with Greyhound Australia canning its Mildura to Adelaide coaches in 2016, and another bus company ceasing its operations in 2020, in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lone direct flight between Mildura and Adelaide also no longer exists, with Rex Airlines terminating the service in May 2023.
Ever since, getting into the festival state from Mildura involved detours via Ouyen, Horsham or Broken Hill, or at greater cost, flying to Adelaide via Melbourne or Sydney.
From IT career to bus driver
The Monty Express will start taking passengers from October 12. (ABC News: Wade Stephens)
Former Sunraysia resident Stuart Saunders ran a survey six months ago to gauge interest in restoring a Mildura to Adelaide bus service.
He said support was overwhelming, and he soon prepared to pivot from his information technology career to become a bus driver.
He purchased a 36-seat bus, which he named The Monty Express after the family's pet Cavoodle, Monty.
"There's very much a sense of community in the coach industry," he said.
Stuart Saunders and his family in front of their new business venture. (ABC News: Wade Stephens)
The Mildura–Renmark–Adelaide service begins today.
It will initially run twice a week, departing Adelaide on Mondays and Thursdays and returning on Tuesdays and Fridays.
It will run as an express service with pick-ups at Mildura, Renmark, Adelaide Airport and the Adelaide Central Bus Station.
Under a service agreement with the SA government, The Monty Express cannot pick up South Australian residents unless they go to Mildura.
Stuart Saunders with his children, Matilda and Gabriel, wife, Melody and dog, Monty. (ABC News: Wade Stephens)
The agreement exists to avoid impacting passenger numbers on the existing Stateliner coach service route between the Riverland and Adelaide.
Enthusiast to take first bus
Mildura man Steven Haby describes himself as a transport enthusiast.
The former Melburnian is a member of the Bus and Coach Society of Victoria and the Australian Timetable Association.
He will be travelling from Mildura to Adelaide to experience the first service of The Monty Express on Monday.
Steven Haby has booked his ticket on The Monty Express. (Supplied: Steven Haby)
"I'm very much an advocate and supporter of public transport," Mr Haby says.
"I thought this was a really good opportunity to support the service going forward and be one of the first passengers on the run.
"You can have a sustainable public transport network in a city like Mildura … making it frequent, reliable, cheap, and to places where people want to go."
Taking the short road
Mr Saunders hopes The Monty Express will not only benefit Mildura residents, but will connect people in the Riverland with Sunraysia's V/Line bus services and flights.
"Not only are we trying to give an express service into Adelaide from Mildura, but the challenges for the Riverland people trying to get into Mildura, I'm hoping we can solve some of their problems as well," he said.
Tamille Hunter is a resident of Cobdogla, a South Australian town less than two hours from Mildura by car.
Ms Hunter is unable to drive and has occasionally used existing transport options to get to Mildura.
The journey she took involved catching a bus to Adelaide, a flight to Melbourne, a train to Swan Hill and a bus to Mildura.
The Monty Express can seat as many as 36 passengers. (ABC News: Wade Stephens)
"At the moment, for us to go to Mildura it takes us 24 hours and over $600," Ms Hunter said.
She said getting The Monty Express to Mildura would open up lots of opportunities for her.
"From there, I could visit my family and friends in Melbourne on the V/Line," she said.