East-West #899 (Scania K310UB, Volgren) operates a Route 301 service on the second day of operation, 17/2/2016. (Jonathan Marks)

Following a few years of campaigning by the Vice Chancellor of La Trobe University, the 2015/2016 Victorian state budget provided funding for a new express shuttle bus between Reservoir Station and their Bundoora Campus, providing faster access from the City and South Morang line.

The new service, Route 301, was introduced by East West Bus Company (Dyson Group) on Tuesday 16 February 2016. Buses depart every 10 minutes between 0700 & 1900 on university days. Route 301 supplemented the existing Route 561 (Macleod – Pascoe Vale) which operates every 20 mins on weekdays and continues until after 2200.

Four buses used on the route (#897, #898, #899 & #900) all wear a special PTV livery with decals promoting the service, incorporating some of the features of the livery used on vehicles operating similar express shuttles serving University of Melbourne (Route 401) & Monash University – Clayton Campus (Route 601)

The Thomas Cherry bus stop at LaTrobe University was upgraded to cater for the introduction of Route 301 – East-West #898 (Scania K310UB, Volgren) is seen using the new stops on 17/2/2016. (Jonathan Marks)

Rear shot of East-West #898 (Scania K310UB, Volgren) at La Trobe University (17/2/2016) (Jonathan Marks)