Compromise

Bus stop in Castlereagh Street Sydney, 1986 (01/08/1986 – 31/08/1986), [A-00059299]. City of Sydney Archives

I’m not going to sugar-coat it, the 2020-21 bus changes in Sydney have been a disaster from a communications and patronage point of view. While there might have been good intentions to make the network more reliable and an alternative to the transurban monopoly, it has instead lead to increased transfers, increased journey times due to poor connectivity at interchanges and a public inquiry calling for a reversal. It also has to do with no feedback from the general public, you know, the ones who use it and consider it an essential service before and after the change with only some limited feedback for the Eastern Suburbs Region. I’ve seen it personally in my region that also changed ownership and underwent a bus network change, more bus routes carrying fresh air (low patronage) and increased journey times and this in October 2022, not during lockdown. It only takes a quick look at Anytrip to see the worsening patronage during the weekday peak.

Out of the 1,697 responses to the online questionnaire, the vast majority of participants (1,196 participants) selected that they reside in Metropolitan Sydney. There were 1,269 participants (or 75 per cent) who either ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’

In addition, 1,270 participants (or 82 per cent) believe themselves to be more reliant on cars as a result of the service delivery changes in their region.

New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Council. Portfolio Committee No. 6 – Transport
Report no. 18. Privatisation of bus services

Everyone has thrown their hat in the ring of what a future network should look like but I’ve stayed out of it for main reasons, the main one being Sydney is a city reluctant to change, drowning in a sea of “remember when” nostalgia and absolute hatred of traffic calming and increased clearways, cycleways (on major roads) and increased bus lane operation . So instead of doing what most do, pulling out maps and redoing everything, I set some ground goals to find a middle ground, a trade-off with the public and operator cake. The main principals were:

• Avoid any bus stop closures, all bus stops need to be maintained if possible
• A bus network that clearly distinguishes between weekday peak services and full time day time services. No weekday only or 6-day only bus routes
• Using existing bus routes in most cases by slicing or merging with other routes
• Focus on providing buffer to existing corridors where modes are shared (such as light rail and bus)
• Merging bus routes too short and trimming bus routes too long
• A network with major interchanges and a limited number of minor interchanges

The network below won’t happen (Rule 0: No power in the institution) but it’s my two cents. Noting that the below does not take into account the logistics of employers and fleet and I’ll probably revise some things.

I will only focus on the former State Transit regions and Newcastle Transport since that is where most of the dislike and hatred is being directed.

Region 9 Eastern Suburbs (operated by Transdev John Holland)

• The return of direct services to the Sydney CBD from Bronte and La Perouse with New Route 378 between Bronte and City Museum via Oxford Street following the former Route 379 between Bondi Junction and Bronte.
• The return of direct services to the Sydney CBD from Little Bay and Matraville with New Route 390 between Little Bay and Central Belmore Park via Anzac Pde and Cleveland Street. This service will replace existing Route 390X.
• Improvements to access to Bondi and Bondi Beach reducing overcrowding at Bondi Junction with two new services;
  • New Route 322 will operate between Walsh Bay and North Bondi replacing existing routes Routes 200 and 379. The new route will follow existing Route 324 between Walsh Bay and Edgecliff and replace the former routes 200 and 379 providing alternative access to Bondi.
  • During weekend summer holidays, New Route 333X will operate as a supplementary service to existing Route 333 but will operate along Syd Einfeld Dr and bypass Bondi Junction Interchange improving reliability and reducing overcrowding.
• Improvements to access to Sydney Metro and Sydney Train services and Sydney Airport with a reconfiguration of the frequent bus services;
  • New Route 300X will operate as a frequent limited stop service between Sydenham Station and Bondi Junction via Domestic Airport. The route will follow the previous route of 400 and extend to Sydenham along the former 358 route. International Airport will be serviced by existing Route 420.
  • Increased access to Central Station by extending the existing frequent service Route 309 from Redfern Station via Redfern and Chambers Streets to Central Station.
• Existing Route 310 will be renamed as Route 310X and will change from an all stop service to a limited stop service improving travel times in Mascot and Botany. New Route 310X will also extend to Eastgardens via the existing 307 route via Page St and existing 350 route via Wentworth Ave removing the Botany terminus.
• Changes to buses in Rose Bay, Vancluse and Dover Heights increasing access to Bondi Junction. Existing Route 324 between Walsh Bay and Watsons Bay will now operate only between Vancluse and Walsh Bay. Existing Route 387 will now extend to Watsons Bay from Vancluse.
• Existing Route 325 between Watsons Bay and Walsh Bay will now operate between Bondi Junction and Watsons Bay via Vancluse Road replacing the current 386 route between Bondi Junction and Rose Bay via Dover Road then operate along the current route to Watsons Bay.
• Routes 326 and 360 will merge operating between North Clovelly and Edgecliff Station providing alternative access to Clovelly from Edgecliff and reducing overcrowding at Bondi Junction.
• Routes 307 and 397 will merge operating between South Maroubra and Mascot Station via Eastgardens providing increased access to train services and reducing the need to transfer at Maroubra.
• Existing Route 342 will extend to Randwick as a loop service via Prince of Wales Hospital replacing the current 358 route and receive a full 7 day timetable.
• Existing Route 350 will no longer operate to Domestic Airport and will terminate at Mascot. Sydney Airport access provided with new frequent route 300X and existing Route 420.
• Existing Route 352 between Bondi Junction and Marrickville Metro will now extend to Sydenham Station providing better access to Marrickville Metro.
• Existing Route 355 will only operate between Redfern and Bondi Junction via Moore Park. The Sydenham to Redfern via Erskineville section will now be operated by Region 6 as New Route 455.
• Existing Route 362 will now operate a full time timetable between Rose Bay and Bondi. All services will take into account the existing F9 ferry timetable for ease of transfer.
• Existing Route 373 between Coogee and City Museum will now extend to City Circular Quay with the City Museum terminus to be repurposed for Route 378.
• Existing Route 375 will now extend to Bondi Junction following the existing 390X route.
• Existing Route 399 between UNSW and Little Bay will now change terminus and operate between Eastgardens and La Perouse via Marourba Road expanding access to Westfield Eastgardens and removing one transfer. City access from La Perouse will be maintained with peak service Route 394X or a transfer at Little Bay or Marourba for other city services.
• Routes 305, 310, 323 and 388 will be renamed as 305X, 310X, 323X and 388X respectively.
• Due to duplication with other bus routes, Routes 200, 324X, and 396X will be discontinued. All Route 396X services will be repurposed as all stop Route 396 services.

Region 8 Northern Beaches (operated by Keolis Downer)

• The removal of Avalon as an interchange with Routes 191 and 192 extending to Mona Vale via the former 199 route providing better access to Mona Vale bus services. Due to the discontinuation of the 199, New Route 190 from Palm Beach and Route 156 will extend to Dee Why. Existing Route 190X will be maintained.
• The removal of Narrabeen as an interchange with Routes 182 and 185 extending to Warringah Mall via via the former 199 route providing better access to shops and facilities. Existing Route 177 will be replaced with the extended Route 185.
• Route 162 will be changed and extended to Warringah Mall via the former 172X route between Seaforth and North Balgowlah. City services in North Balgowlah will be maintained with Route 168X or transfers at Manly Vale.
• Routes 178 and 179 will now extend to Manly Beach via the former 199 route providing direct access to Manly from Cromer Heights and Wheeler Heights without requiring a transfer. Existing Route 161 will also extend to Warringah Mall to maintain similar or increased frequencies due to the discontinuation of the 199.
• Two new peak express services: Route 181X between Mona Vale and Sydney CBD replacing existing route 181X but extending to Mona Vale following the existing 182 route. In addition, new express Route 178X between Cromer Heights and the Sydney CBD replacing existing route 174X and operating along Willandra Road following existing routes 166 and 178.
• Existing Route 180 services will be replaced with full time Route 180X services.
• Balmoral to Sydney CBD services will be restored in peak times with New Route 115X. In addition, all Route 243 services will be extended to the Sydney CBD full time.
• Mosman local services will be changed to begin at a local wharf. New Route 227 will operate between Mosman Bay Wharf and Chowder Bay replacing route 111. Route 246 will now operate between Mosman Bay Wharf and Balmoral Heights instead of the Sydney CBD and Route 249 will now operate between South Mosman Wharf and Beauty Point. All routes will now operate on a 7 day frequency.
• Existing Route 160X services will be renamed as Route 200X.
• Bus stops within Warringah Mall will close with all services operating along Warringah Mall bus stops on Pittwater Road for better transfers. New bus layovers may be required.

Region 7 North West (operated by Busways)

• Cleanup of duplication routes towards East Lindfield and East Willoughby with the discontinuation of Routes 204, 205, 208 and 209. Other Routes 206 and 207 will receive increased full time services. Diversions to Lindfield Gardens will now operate full time. Existing Route 275 will now extend to Northbridge following former route 208.
• Route 256 will be discontinued with existing Route 259 redirected to Fullers Road. Diversions to River Road will be maintained. Some bus stops will need to close along Millwood Road but may continue to operate as school bus stops.
• Existing Route 265 will split with the Crows Nest to North Sydney section replaced with New Route 266. The new route will also operate the Kirribilli Point Loop 7 days a week replacing Route 269.
• Existing Route 288 will no longer operate to Epping and Macquarie University due to duplication with other routes and the North West Metro. It will instead terminate at Macquarie Centre.
• Reversal of 2021 bus changes with the return of all stop Route 501 between West Ryde and Central. Existing Route 500X will also extend to Yallamundi (Rydalmere) Light Rail Stop as a limited stop service following previous route M52 along the entire route with select stops;
  • The revised Route 500X will stop at all bus stops between Gaza Rd/West Pde West Ryde and Top Ryde City.
  • Between Yallamundi and West Ryde, the revised Route 500X will only stop at Lions Park, Wharf Rd, Spurway St, Rydalmere Public School then all stops to Yallamundi allowing transfer to Parramatta, Westmead and Carlingford.
  • Existing bus stops along Victoria Road between Parramatta and Top Ryde City not serviced by Route 500X will now be serviced by full time all stop service Route 512 between Parramatta and West Ryde via Victoria Road. Route 500N will be maintained.
• Existing Routes 524 and 544 will be discontinued and replaced in sections due to its long length.
  • New Route 289 will now operate between Eastwood and East Ryde via Macquarie Centre replacing the former route of 506 between Macquarie Centre and East Ryde and 544 between Eastwood and Macquarie Centre operating 30-60 min frequencies 7 days a week.
  • Existing Route 523 will now operate between Parramatta and Eastwood replacing the former 544 route between Ermington and Eastwood and now operate 7 days. The modified Route 523 will also operate via South Street replacing the former Route 524. School Diversions will be maintained with Route 523.
  • New Route 542 will operate the former 544 route between Auburn and Ermington and extend to West Ryde via Victoria Road operating 30-60 min frequencies 7 days a week.
• Existing Route 506 will only operate between East Ryde and Sydney CBD to improve reliability and avoid traffic congestion on Lane Cove Road. The former section between Macquarie Centre and East Ryde replaced with New Route 289.
• Existing Route 507 will now extend to Top Ryde following the existing 518 route providing direct access between Meadowbank and Putney to Top Ryde City and increasing services between Top Ryde City and Meadowbank.
• New Route 510 will be a high frequency route between Macquarie Centre and Sydney Olympic Park replacing the 410 route between Macquarie Centre and Ryde and the 533 route between Ryde and Sydney Olympic Park. The new route will also operate via the Holker Busway instead of Bennelong Parkway to avoid traffic congestion and utilise the existing busway. A new frequent Route 400X will also operate between Ryde and Hurstville.
• Existing Route 513 will now extend to Top Ryde City via West Pde and Parkes St, restoring full time service and will operate with a weekend timetable with 60-90 min frequencies.
• Existing Route 515 will be extended to Carlingford to service the new Parramatta Light Rail, provide new access to Ryde Hospital and Top Ryde City and extend its short route. The extended route will operate along the 521 route between Mobbs Ln and Eastwood then extend to Carlingford via Marsden Road, Tomah St and follow current 550 route to Carlingford Light Rail.
• Existing Route 518 between Meadowbank Wharf and Macquarie Centre will now extend and terminate at Marsfield providing increased access to Macquarie Uni Hospital replacing 410.
• Existing Route 521 will terminate at Yallamundi (Rydalmere) Light Rail Stop allowing transfer to Parramatta and Westmead. Parramatta bus services on Victoria Road will be maintained with New Route 512 and existing Route 525.
• Existing Route 533 will now only operate between Top Ryde and Chatswood. The section between Top Ryde and Sydney Olympic Park will be replaced with new Route 510.
• Existing Route 538 between Gladesville and Woolwich will now extend to Top Ryde City providing new access to Woolwich Ferry and Top Ryde City without the need to transfer.
• Existing Route 540 will be renumbered as Route 540X and will now extend to West Ryde via the existing Route 525 and former Route 501 via Victoria Road.
• Existing Routes 295 and 541 will merge creating a new loop route between Eastwood and North Epping via Epping and provide new full time service to Eastwood and Epping. Minor route modifications will need to be made in Epping for both routes to merge.
• Routes 551 and 553 will be discontinued and replaced with school service diversions operate by existing Routes 545 and 546.
• Route 255 will now operate a Sunday timetable with a 120 min frequency.
• Routes 251, 253, 285, 293, 297, 505X will be renamed as 251X, 253X, 285X, 293X, 297X and 505X respectively.
• Due to duplication with other bus routes, Routes 258, 286, 287, 294 and 536 will be discontinued.
• Improved reliability at Top Ryde with a reorganisation of bus stands allow same stop transfers.

Region 6 Inner West and South (operated by Transit Systems)

• Increasing bus services to Wentworth Point and Rhodes with new frequent bus services and modifications of existing;
  • New frequent Route 400X will operate as a limited stop frequent service between Ryde and Hurstville replacing 410. The new route will operate with fewer stops to improve reliability and travel time with local bus stop service maintained with other routes. Route 400X will also now operate via the 458 route between Strathfield and Burwood and M4 Motorway and Centaury Dr providing access to Strathfield Station and better access to more train services.
  • New Route 405 will operate between Wentworth Point and Campsie via Concord Hospital providing all stop access along the former 410 route in Concord.
  • Existing Route 458 will now operate between Rhodes Station and Strathfield and no longer operate to Ryde. The former section between Marsfield and Ryde will be replaced with New Route 510 operated by Region 9.
  • Existing Route 401 will extend to Sydney Olympic Park Station and Ferry Wharf replacing the former 533 route which has been diverted to the Holker Busway.
• Route 303 will be split and only operate between Rockdale Station and Prince of Wales Hospital. New Route 475 will operate between Miranda and Rockdale Station via Bay Street and Ramsgate replacing the former Route 477 route in Taren Point and the former Route 303 in Ramsgate.
• Existing Route 358 between Sydenham and Randwick will now be replaced with a new frequent service Route 300X (operated by Region 9) and existing Route 342 (operated by Region 9).
• Existing Route 420 between Burwood and Mascot will now only operate between Campsie and Mascot with the Burwood to Campsie section replaced with New Route 405.
• Existing Route 422 between Central and Kogarah will extend to Sans Souci and Dolls Point following the former 476 route expanding direct City access.
• Existing Route 428 between Central and Canterbury will extend to Campsie following the former 487 route expanding direct City access.
• Existing Route 445 will now change its terminus to Sydenham Station instead of Campsie expanding access along Marrickville Road.
• New Route 455 will operate between Sydenham and Redfern via Erskineville replacing existing Route 355 which will be split between Region 6 and 9.
• Existing Route 464 between Ashfield and Mortlake will no longer operate between Burwood and Ashfield to improve reliability. New Route 414 will be provided between Ashfield and Burwood along the current Route 464.
• Existing Route 469 between Leichardt and Glebe will now extend to Central via Glebe and Broadway to provide direct city access.
• Existing Route 479 between Rockdale and Kyeemagh will extend to Kogarah Station to improve access to St George Hospital.
• Existing Route 492 between Rockdale and Drummoyne will now terminate at Campsie to improve reliability. Existing Route 493 between Roselands and Rockdale will extend to Campsie along the former Route 487. A new route between Bankstown and Roselands via the former 487 route will be operate separately by Region 5.
• Routes 305 and 503 will be renamed as 305X and 503X respectively.
• Due to duplication with other bus routes, Route 425 will be discontinued.

Newcastle Transport (operated by Keolis Downer)

• Increased access to Newcastle Interchange by extending existing bus services Route 25, 27 and New Route 45 via Hamilton and elimination of the Broadmeadow terminus. Broadmeadow Station will continue to be serviced by these services.
• Existing Route 21 between Broadmeadow and Newcastle will be replaced with a extended Route 27 that will operate along the former Route 21 and provide more direct access to University of Newcastle from Merewether and The Junction
• Existing Route 28 will be extended to Warners Bay via Warners Bay Road and the Esplande providing new direct access to Newcastle CBD from Lake Macquarie and elimination of the Mount Hutton terminus.
• Existing Route 29 will no longer operate to Marks Point, Pelican or Swansea North and will now terminate at Belmont. The Swansea North to Belmont section will be replaced with an extended Route 48.
• Existing Route 42 will be extended to the University of Newcastle along the current Route 11 providing more direct access and eliminate the John Hunter Hospital terminus.
• Existing Route 44 will be extended to Charlestown from Warners Bay along the former 48 route. The route between Glendale and Kotara will be replaced with New Route 45 and will extend to Broadmeadow Station and Newcastle Interchange following the existing 26 route and via Hamilton providing better direct access to train services and to the stadium.
• Existing Route 48 will no longer operate to Warners Bay with the section between Warners Bay and Charlestown replaced with Route 44. Route 48 will also extend to Swansea North via Marks Point and Pelican Point along the former Route 29.