In an email sent to a Clunes resident and viewed by The Courier, the company stated the decision to cancel the bus service was not made lightly but "due to declining patronage over the past few years, the service is no longer viable".

According to the Department of Transport, the service is self-funded by Gold Bus Ballarat under an agreement with the department.

The service runs each morning from Avoca Post Office to Maryborough, Talbot and Clunes and then through to Ballarat, stopping at Stocklands Wendouree, Ballarat Grammar, Loreto College, St Patrick's College, Ballarat Base Hospital and then Ballarat Railway Station to link up with a train to Melbourne each morning.

It makes a reverse trip back through to Avoca each afternoon.

The service, which has run each weekday for almost 20 years, will make its final journey on Friday, December 20.

A Department of Transport spokesperson said Avoca residents could access rail services through to Ballarat from either Maryborough or Talbot.

Gold Bus Ballarat were also contacted for further comment.

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