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Buses in Sydney

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Buses in Sydney
Bus icon
Scania K280UB with Bustech VST body, in Transport NSW livery
Scania K280UB with Bustech VST body, in Transport NSW livery
Overview
LocaleSydney
Transit typeBus / Bus rapid transit
Annual ridership264.3 million in 2017-18
Websitetransportnsw.info
Operation
Began operation1905
Operator(s)
Distribution map showing the percentage of the employed population who travel to work by bus only, according to the Australian census 2011.

Buses account for close to six per cent of trips each day in the Australian city of Sydney, New South Wales, forming a key part of the city's public transport system. The network initially evolved from a privately operated system of feeder services to railway stations in the outer suburbs, and a publicly operated network of bus services introduced to replace trams in the inner suburbs. The bus network has undergone major reform in recent years, with the New South Wales Government taking responsibility for route and fare-setting, opening contracts for most routes up to competitive tendering, and introducing more cross-regional services.

The New South Wales Government's transport authority, Transport for NSW, administers the various bus networks in Sydney.

The networks, except the Olympic Park and On Demand routes, are part of Transport for NSW's Opal ticketing system.

Commuter and school services are assigned to one of 14 contract regions. In 2017-18, 264.3 million passenger journeys were made on services in Sydney's bus contract regions.

History

At the beginning of the 20th century, Sydney's public transport network was composed of a suburban railway and inner-city trams, both operated by the New South Wales Government Railways. These were complemented by various privately operated ferry services on Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River, and a few horse-drawn services.

The Railways experimented with a steam-powered bus service from Potts Point to Darlinghurst in 1905, but the vehicles quickly proved unsatisfactory and the service was shut down within a year.[1] The city's second bus route ran from Newport, in the north of the Northern Beaches district, to Manly, commencing in 1906. This was operated by the privately owned Manly-Pittwater Motor Omnibus Company. The company did not prosper, however, and the business was wound up in 1908.[2]

The return of servicemen from World War I in the late 1910s provided fresh impetus to the motor omnibus industry. Here, suddenly, were thousands of men with experience working with heavy vehicles – all looking for work.[3] In 1915, only 15 motorised buses were known to operate in Sydney. By 1929, the city's bus fleet numbered more than 600. A private bus industry, dominated by owner-operators and small family businesses, was taking shape.[1]

Seeking to protect the tram system from competition, Premier Jack Lang introduced the Transport Act 1930, which empowered a new Metropolitan Transport Trust to shut down private bus routes that competed with trams, trains or other buses. The Railways were also restructured, with the tram system hived off into a new Department of Road Transport & Tramways in 1932.[4] The Department introduced its first bus service, route 144 from St Leonards to Manly, on Christmas Day of that year.

Lang's reforms established a structure for the bus network that was to endure for close to a century. On the one hand, the Department – forerunner to today's State Transit Authority – began to shut down its trams and build an extensive bus network serving the inner suburbs and Northern Beaches. On the other, the heavily regulated private operators remained small-scale, relegated to the status of feeder services for the Government's trains. But Lang's draconian Transport Act held at least one benefit for the bus companies: just as the trams were protected from them, so too were they protected from new entrants to the industry.[1]

From trams to buses

Route 144 started as a service in the 1920s connecting trains, trams and ferries. But the Department's focus began to shift inexorably towards building its bus network, starting in 1937 when Kogarah's steam trams were replaced with trolleybuses. Two years later, tram services from Manly were replaced with buses. In 1948, a recommendation was handed to the Department that the entire network be replaced with buses. Though initially controversial, the move to a bus network secured broad political support and was completed between 1957 and 1961. The Department, renamed 'Government Transport' in 1952, became an operator of buses only.[1][5]

For much of the 20th century, land use planning in Sydney restricted development to corridors within a short distance of the existing railway lines. This discipline broke down in the 1980s, however, when the Wran Government released new areas for development far from existing rail lines.[6][7] This meant that buses outside of the inner-city, government-operated network, would play an increasing role in meeting Sydney's transport needs.

Lang's model divided the city into hundreds of exclusive fiefdoms and did not allow for cross-regional services. Some private operators responded with joint ventures under the "Red Arrow" brand, agreeing to jointly operate routes between major centres in each other's territories. Some of these routes survive in whole or part today.

Contracts

From 1930 until 1990, private bus companies in Sydney operated as licensed local monopolies, with a relatively free hand to set fares, determine routes, set service levels and choose vehicles. The Greiner Government changed this with the introduction of the Passenger Transport Act 1990. Although the government was loth to challenge the operators' local dominance, it insisted on forming contractual relationships between bus companies and the Department of Transport. These formed the basis for improvements to service standards and – in time – would allow the Government to consolidate the industry and create a truly integrated public transport network. The Government also dismantled one of the shibboleths of the Lang era, allowing Forest Coach Lines and Westbus to run direct services to the City, rather than just the nearest train station. In 1992, an inbound bus lane was installed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to facilitate the additional services.

Unsworth review

Development in the Hills and Forest districts, far from railway lines, meant that long-distance private bus services poured across the Harbour Bridge to the City each morning. The growth of employment centres outside of the City and inner suburbs, including the growing significance of Parramatta, meant that more and more commuters were making cross-regional, rather than suburb-to-city, trips. Finally, the profusion of bus networks – in 2004, they numbered more than 80 – was confusing to planners and passengers alike. In return for their acceptance of limits to their operations, the small family-owned bus companies had enjoyed immunity from competition themselves. The result was a disparity in fares, vehicles and service quality across Sydney.

The Government commissioned a report into the bus network from former premier Barrie Unsworth. This report, released in 2004, formed a blueprint for major changes to the bus network, including:

  • harmonisation of private and State Transit fares
  • consolidation of bus regions and competitive tendering for rights to operate
  • introduction of new, cross-regional routes.

Consolidation of bus contract regions, from more than 80 to just 15, forced the amalgamation of decades-old bus companies and cleared the way for the entry of players from interstate and overseas.

Starting in October 2008 a number of Metrobus routes were introduced.

Cross-regional connectivity received further boosts with the completion of dedicated T-way networks, between Liverpool and Parramatta and between Parramatta, Blacktown and Rouse Hill.

Contract regions

Main article: Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts

Most services are provided under a service contract between the operator and Transport for NSW. There are 14 contract regions, each of which is tied to a geographical area.

The Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts are contracts issued by the Government of New South Wales to metropolitan bus operators in Sydney, Australia, to operate its public bus route network. Since 2005, the government has moved from individual contracts with operators to larger contract regions, leading to the consolidation of bus operators.

History

State Transit Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B7RLE at Circular Quay in June 2014 in Transport for NSW livery
Forest Coach Lines Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B7RLE at Sydney Olympic Park in March 2013 in its green version of Transport for NSW's livery

In February 2004, the Unsworth Review of Bus Services conducted by former Transport Minister and Premier Barrie Unsworth, reported its findings to the Carr Government, recommending that the number of contract areas that existed in Sydney be reduced from 87 to 15 with a lead entity identified for each region to negotiate a contract.[8] This was adopted with the first seven-year performance based contract signed in January 2005. By June 2005, eight had been signed.[9] In some cases the existing operators formed joint venture companies to have a single contract with the government while in other regions there were some takeovers.

The contracts resulted in some consolidation of operators. Harris Park Transport and Moores Tours decided to cease operating at short notice in December 2004.[10] Some of Baxter's Bus Lines routes passed to Connex and Transit First in January 2005.[11] Further consolidation took place after the contracts commenced with Baxter's selling its remaining routes to Westbus in September 2006, Transit First selling out to Connex in February 2007.[12][13] Veolia (formerly Connex), who operated in regions 10 and 13, took over region 11 operators Crowthers in January 2009 and Caringbah Bus Service in October 2011.[14][15] The two takeovers resulted in the merger of regions 10 and 11 to form an expanded region 10, reducing the total number of regions to fourteen.

With the contracts coming up for renewal and following a change in government, the O'Farrell Government decided to put the provision of the services out to competitive tender.[16][17][18] Transdev NSW was able to negotiate a direct award for regions 10 and 13 after agreeing to provide access to its bus and depot assets at the end of the contracts.[19] The regions operated by State Transit were not included at this stage, however region 6 was tendered out from July 2018.[20]

Under the 2005 contracts, all new buses were purchased by the government and leased to the operators. As a result, when regions have changed hands, all of the post 2005 built buses have remained with the region, with the older buses retained by the outgoing operators.

2020–2023 tenders

With the exception of region 6, the government announced in October 2019 that the contracts for the other thirteen regions will be put out to competitive tender by 2022.[21] These contracts were originally due to expire in 2021 and 2022.

The first three regions to be put out to tender were the three remaining State Transit regions 7 to 9. Tenders for Region 8 opened in June 2020 and closed on 30 September 2020, with Keolis Downer announced as the successful tenderer in May 2021.[22][23] Tenders for Region 7 opened in August 2020 and closed on 18 December 2020, with Busways announced as the successful tenderer in July 2021.[24][25] Tenders for Region 9 opened in November 2020,[26] with a joint venture of Transdev and John Holland announced as the successful tenderer in November 2021.[27] The three regions were transitioned to the new operators on these following dates:

  • Region 7 (North West) in January 2022
  • Region 8 (Northern Beaches) in October 2021
  • Region 9 (East) in April 2022

Between December 2021 and August 2022, the remaining ten regions were put out to tender in three tranches:[28]

  • Tranche 1: Regions 4, 12 and 14. Contracts for Regions 12 and 14 can be consolidated in a single bid. Tenders opened in January 2022 and closed on 14 April 2022. In November 2022, CDC NSW, the incumbent operator for Regions 4 and 14, was awarded the contracts for the three regions, with region 12 to be consolidated into Region 14.[29]
  • Tranche 2: Regions 3, 5, 10 and 13. Any combination of the four contracts can be consolidated in a single bid. Tenders opened between March and May 2022. In December 2022, Transit Systems NSW, the incumbent operator for Region 3, was awarded the contracts for Regions 3 and 13, with region 13 to be consolidated into Region 3.[30][31] The contracts for Regions 5 and 10, with region 5 consolidated into region 10, were awarded to U-Go Mobility, a new joint venture between UGL and Go-Ahead Group.[32][33]
  • Tranche 3: Regions 1, 2 and 15. Tenders opened between June and August 2022. In February 2023, Busways, the incumbent operator for Region 1, was awarded the contract for the region, while Transit Systems was awarded the contracts for Regions 2 and 15, with Region 15 to be consolidated into Region 2.[34][35]

The new contracts of the ten regions commenced between April and December 2023.

Livery

A requirement of the contracts is that operators adopt a white and two blues livery as prescribed by Transport for NSW, this was implemented from 2010. Forest Coach Lines' 2005 contract did not require their buses to be repainted blue, hence the livery applied to their buses saw the blue replaced with green. This loophole was closed when the region was tendered in 2012.[36]

Current contracts

Since October 2023, there are 10 contract regions in Sydney, each of which is tied to a geographical area. Current contracts commenced prior to 2018 operate for five years, with an option to extend for a further three years. Contracts commenced and awarded since 2018 are for an eight-year period. All of these contracts were awarded via open tender.[37]

Region Service area Current operators Start date of
current contract		 End date of
current contract (if known)
1 Blacktown LGA, Penrith LGA Busways 10 December 2023 28 June 2031[38]
2 Campbelltown LGA, Liverpool LGA, Camden LGA Transit Systems 8 October 2023[39] 28 June 2031[40]
3 Liverpool LGA, Fairfield LGA, Cumberland LGA, Canterbury-Bankstown LGA Transit Systems 6 August 2023 30 November 2030[31][41]
4 Hills District CDC NSW April 2023 28 June 2031[42]
6 Inner West Transit Systems 1 July 2018 30 June 2026[43]
7 Northern Suburbs Busways 9 January 2022 9 January 2030[44]
8 Northern Beaches Keolis Downer Northern Beaches 31 October 2021 31 October 2029[45][46]
9 Eastern Suburbs Transdev John Holland 3 April 2022 2 April 2030[47]
10 Sutherland Shire, Georges River LGA, Canterbury-Bankstown LGA U-Go Mobility
Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service (route 989) 		1 July 2023 30 November 2030 [48]
14 Ku-ring-gai LGA, Northern Beaches CDC NSW 21 May 2023 29 June 2030[49]

Region details

Region 1

Region 1 covers the outer western suburbs between Blacktown, Penrith, Windsor and Richmond. It also operated route 740 services via the M2 Hills Motorway to Macquarie Centre, which ceased in May 2019.[50][51][52]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by the Area 1 Management Company consortium of incumbent operators Busways, Hawkesbury Valley Buses and Westbus. Following a competitive tendering process, on 6 October 2013 Busways took over all services in the region in its own right.[16][17][37][53][54][55] In February 2023, following another competitive tendering process, Busways successfully retained and was awarded a seven-year contract for Region 1. The contract will commence in December 2023.[34]

Region 2

Region 2 initially covered the south western suburbs between Liverpool, Ingleburn and Hoxton Park. Other principal suburbs are Bringelly and Glenfield.[50][56]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by the Area 2 Management Company consortium of incumbent operators Busabout and Interline. Following a competitive tendering process, on 1 June 2014 Interline took over all services in the region in its own right.[57][58]

Nine years later, in February 2023, following another competitive tendering process, Transit Systems was awarded a new contract for the region.[35] The region also consolidated region 15 and expanded to cover Camden, Narellan and Macarthur, as well as services to Wollongong. The new contract commenced on 8 October 2023, with Transit Systems taking over Region 2 services from Interline and Region 15 services from Busabout.

Region 3

Region 3 initially covered the south western suburbs between Parramatta, Liverpool and Bonnyrigg. Other principal suburbs are Cabramatta, Fairfield and Wetherill Park.[50][59]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by the Area 3 Management Company consortium of incumbent operators Baxter's Bus Lines, Busabout, Hopkinsons, Metro-link and Westbus which operated all routes except Liverpool–Parramatta T-way route T80 which was operated by Western Sydney Buses. Baxter's sold its routes to Westbus in September 2006.[12][16][17][60]

Following a competitive tendering process, on 13 October 2013, Transit Systems took over the operation of the region.[37][54] Nine years later, in December 2022, following another competitive tender process, Transit Systems retained and was awarded a seven-year contract for the region.[30] The region also consolidated region 13 and expanded to cover Lidcombe, Granville, Bankstown and Burwood. The new contract commenced on 6 August 2023, with Transit Systems taking over Region 13 services from Transdev NSW.[31]

Region 4

Region 4 covers The Hills district including Parramatta, Pennant Hills, Castle Hill and Rouse Hill. Other principal suburbs are Dural, Blacktown and Baulkham Hills. It also operates services via the M2 Hills Motorway to Macquarie Centre, Chatswood, Milsons Point and the Sydney CBD.[50][61]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by incumbent operator Hillsbus.[57] Hillsbus successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 August 2014.[62]

Following the short notice cessation of operations by Harris Park Transport, its routes in the Hills District were taken over by Hillsbus on 20 December 2004, then transferred to Sydney Buses as part of region 7 on 28 January 2005, with six routes returning to Region 4 on 25 September 2005.[63][64]

Following a tendering process, CDC NSW (parent company of Hillsbus) retained and was awarded an eight-year contract for Region 4 in November 2022.[29] The new contract commenced in April 2023.[65] The Hillsbus brand was phased out in favour of the CDC NSW brand.

Region 6

Region 6 covers the Inner West and southern suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD, Chatswood, Taronga Zoo, Westfield Eastgardens, Bondi Junction, Hurstville and Miranda. Principal suburbs are Ashfield, Burwood, Campsie, Leichhardt, Rockdale and Sydney Olympic Park. The region operates out of Burwood, Kingsgrove, Leichhardt and Tempe depots.[50][66]

When the region was established in 2005, the region was operated by incumbent operator State Transit. The contract was renewed 1 July 2013 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[67]

In May 2017, the government announced the operation of region 6 would be contracted out to the private sector.[68][69] The contract was awarded to Transit Systems with operations commencing on 1 July 2018.[70][71]

Region 7

Region 7 covers the north western suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD. Principal suburbs are Chatswood, Epping, Macquarie Park, North Sydney, Ryde and Parramatta. The region operates out of Ryde depot and Willoughby depot.[50][72]

When the region was established in 2005, the region was operated by incumbent operator State Transit. State Transit permanently took control of a few former Harris Park Transport services in September 2005, and the region expanded to cover the whole of Carlingford, Epping and include North Rocks, West Pennant Hills and Beecroft for the first time.

The contract was renewed on 1 July 2013, and again on 1 July 2017 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[67][73] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2020 and was awarded to Busways, with operations commencing on 9 January 2022.[25]

Region 8

Region 8 covers the lower North Shore and Northern Beaches with services extending to the Sydney CBD. Principal suburbs are Brookvale, Chatswood, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney and Palm Beach. The region operates out of Brookvale, Mona Vale, North Sydney depots.[50][74]

When the region was established in 2005, the region was operated by incumbent operator State Transit. The contract was renewed on 1 July 2013, and again on 1 July 2017 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[67][73] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2020 and was awarded to Keolis Downer Northern Beaches, with operations commencing on 31 October 2021.[23][45]

Region 9

Region 9 covers the Eastern Suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD and Leichhardt. Principal suburbs are Bondi Junction, Botany, Maroubra, Mascot, Randwick and Surry Hills. The region operates out of Port Botany, Randwick and Waverley depots.[50][75]

When the region was established in 2005, the region was operated by incumbent operator State Transit. The contract was renewed on 1 July 2013, and again on 1 July 2017 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[67][73] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2021 and was awarded to Transdev John Holland, with operations commencing on 3 April 2022.[76][27]

Region 10

Region 10 initially covered the south western suburbs between Bankstown, Sutherland and Engadine. Other principal suburbs are Hurstville, Menai, and Miranda. It also operates services to Burwood, Parramatta and Liverpool.[50][77]

When the region was established in 2005, it was operated by incumbent operator Connex that was later rebranded Veolia Transport, Veolia Transdev then Transdev NSW.

Region 11 was absorbed into Region 10 in September 2009.[50] Region 10 then covered all of the Sutherland Shire. Caringbah Bus Service's routes were taken over by Veolia in October 2011.[15]

On 1 January 2013, Transdev NSW commenced a new contract that was awarded without a competitive tendering process. Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service continue to operate route 989 from Bundeena as a subcontractor to Transdev.[19][78][79] In December 2022, following a competitive tender process, U-Go Mobility was awarded a seven-year contract for region 10.[32][33] The region also consolidated region 5 and expanded to cover Lakemba, Punchbowl, Roselands and Mortdale. The new contract commenced on 1 July 2023, with U-Go Mobility taking over Region 10 services from Transdev NSW and Region 5 services from Punchbowl Bus Company.

Region 14

Region 14 initially covered the Forest district including Chatswood, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Terrey Hills, St Ives and Gordon. It also operates services to the Sydney CBD.[50][80]

When the region was established in 2005, it was operated by incumbent operator Forest Coach Lines.[16][17][81] It successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 April 2013.[37][54]

In October 2019, the NSW Government announced that it would open 13 out of the 14 contracts for competitive tender. In January 2022, tendering was opened for Regions 12, 14 and 4, closing on 14 April 2022. Transport for NSW has also indicated that Regions 12 and 14 may be procured together.[82][83] In November 2022, CDC NSW (parent company of Forest Coach Lines) retained and was awarded a seven-year contract for Region 14.[29] The region also consolidated Region 12 and expanded to cover the Upper North Shore and Hornsby to Hawkesbury River area, including Hornsby, Berowra and Brooklyn. The new contract commenced on 21 May 2023, with the Forest Coach Lines brand was phased out in favour the CDC NSW brand, and CDC NSW taking over Region 12 services from Transdev NSW.[65]

Former regions

Region 5

Region 5 covered the south western suburbs between Strathfield, Bankstown and Hurstville. Other principal suburbs are Lakemba, Punchbowl, Roselands and Mortdale. It also operates services to Strathfield and Sydney Olympic Park.[50][84]

Harris Park Transport routes operated in the St George area and Moore's Tours routes were transferred to Punchbowl Bus Co on 20 December 2004.[85][86]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by incumbents Pleasure Tours and Punchbowl Bus Company. The Pleasure Tours routes were taken over by Punchbowl Bus Co on 10 July 2005.[57][85][86] Punchbowl Bus Co successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 July 2014.[37][87] Eight years later, in December 2022, following another competitive tender process, Punchbowl Bus Co was unsuccessful in retaining the contract. U-Go Mobility was awarded a seven-year contract for region 10 which also consolidated region 5. Region 5 ceased to exist and U-Go Mobility took over bus services from Punchbowl Bus Co on 1 July 2023.[32][33]

Region 11

Region 11 covered the Miranda, Cronulla, Bundeena area in the Sutherland Shire. Other principal suburbs were Caringbah and Kurnell.[50][88]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by incumbent operators Caringbah Bus Service, Crowthers and Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service. Crowthers' routes were taken over by Veolia Transport on 1 January 2009.[14] Region 11 was absorbed into Region 10 on 21 September 2009.[50][89]

Region 12

Region 12 covered the Upper North Shore and Hornsby to Hawkesbury River area with a limited peak hour service extending to the Sydney CBD. Principal suburbs are Chatswood, Gordon, Hornsby, Berowra and Brooklyn.[50][90]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by incumbent operator Shorelink, which was rebranded TransdevTSL Shorelink in 2008 [91] and then Transdev Shorelink in 2010.[16][17][81]

Following the merger of Transdev and Veolia Transport, Transdev Shorelink was merged into Transdev NSW. It successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 June 2013.[37][54]

In October 2019, the NSW Government announced that it would open 13 out of the 14 contracts for competitive tender. Transport for NSW also indicated that Regions 12 and 14 may be procured together. In January 2022, tendering was opened for Regions 12, 14 and 4, closing on 14 April 2022.[92][83] In November 2022, CDC NSW was successfully awarded the contract for region 14 which also consolidated region 12.[29] Region 12 ceased to exist and CDC NSW took over the services from Transdev NSW on 21 May 2023.[65]

Region 13

Region 13 covered the south western suburbs between Lidcombe, Granville, Bankstown and Liverpool. Other principal suburbs are Burwood and Parramatta.[50][93]

When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by incumbent operators Connex (that was later rebranded Veolia Transport, Veolia Transdev then Transdev NSW) and Transit First. Some of the routes were previously operated by Baxter's Bus Lines and were transferred to Connex and Transit First on 1 January 2005.[11][94] In February 2007. Connex purchased Transit First.[13]

On 1 May 2013, Transdev NSW commenced a new contract that was awarded without a competitive tendering process.[19][78][95] In December 2022, following a competitive tender process, Transit Systems NSW was awarded the contract for region 3 which also consolidated region 13.[30] Region 13 ceased to exist and Transit Systems took over the services from Transdev on 6 August 2023.[31]

Region 15

Region 15 covered the south western suburbs between Campbelltown and Camden . Other principal suburbs were Narellan and Macarthur. It also operated services to Wollongong.[50][96]

When the region was established in 2005, the region was operated by incumbent operator Busways. Following a competitive tendering process, on 1 June 2014 Busabout took over the operation of the region.[57][97][98] Nine years later, in February 2023, following another competitive tender process, Transit Systems NSW was awarded the contract for region 2 which also consolidated region 15.[35] Region 15 ceased to exist and Transit Systems took over the services from Busabout on 8 October 2023.[99]

Patronage

Patronage by Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contract region from 2017 to 2020
Diagram showing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sydney Metropolitan bus patronage from 2020-2022
Annual Patronage per Region from 2017 to 2022 [100]
Rank Region Operator 2017 2018 2019 2020 [a] 2021 [a] 2022 Total
 % Change
2017–19 		Total
 % Change
2019–21[a]
1 9 State Transit (till 2022) Transdev John Holland (from 2022) 71,684,642 68,363,589 67,869,614 35,720,364 26,054,388 35,152,671 -5.32% -61.61%
2 6 State Transit (2017) Transit Systems (from 2018) 48,246,291 55,169,998 60,451,349 33,740,937 25,600,932 33,320,621 +25.30% -57.65%
3 8 State Transit (till 2021) Keolis Downer (from 2021) 26,159,684 28,983,479 30,943,722 18,285,044 15,553,334 19,595,983 +18.29% -49.74%
4 7 State Transit (till 2022) Busways (from 2022) 29,555,761 31,614,292 34,263,448 18,706,534 14,447,204 19,451,964 +15.93% -57.83%
5 4 Hillsbus 22,147,493 24,708,501 24,554,212 12,111,689 9,517,589 13,288,118 +10.87% -61.24%
6 1 Busways Western Sydney 12,139,979 13,236,871 13,816,261 8,838,952 6,700,613 8,121,394 +13.81% -51.50%
7 3 Transit Systems 12,173,957 12,879,292 13,245,189 8,128,237 5,985,520 7,249,537 +8.80% -54.81%
8 13 Transdev NSW 8,364,105 8,873,353 9,204,134 5,907,729 4,464,843 5,358,299 +10.04% -51.49%
9 10 Transdev NSW and
Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service		 7,777,172 8,196,536 8,672,375 5,549,277 4,178,317 5,132,273 +11.51% -51.82%
10 14 Forest Coach Lines 4,851,299 5,169,614 5,632,071 3,360,149 3,023,221 3,572,495 +16.09% -46.32%
11 5 Punchbowl Bus Company 3,538,852 3,850,045 4,134,186 2,758,716 2,239,215 2,785,475 +16.82% -45.84%
12 2 Interline Bus Service 3,664,100 3,928,593 4,432,147 2,797,068 2,131,462 2,473,229 +20.96% -51.91%
13 12 Transdev NSW 3,412,400 3,601,886 3,997,576 2,335,640 1,813,076 2,285,795 +17.15% -54.65%
14 15 Busabout 3,075,445 3,876,003 3,852,954 2,483,749 1,832,222 2,082,117 +25.28% -52.45%
TOTAL 256,791,180 272,452,052 285,069,238 160,724,085 121,815,166 159,869,971 +11.01% -57.27%
  1. ^ a b c Patronage was lower than previous years due to people staying at home and not taking public transport to school or work during the COVID-19 pandemic

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Lee, Robert (2010). Transport: an Australian history. Sydney: UNSW Press.
  2. ^ JMacR. "Manly's first bus". Manly Library Local Studies Blog. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  3. ^ Simpson, Margaret (2006). "New South Wales Government and private bus ticket collection" (published 1960). Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  4. ^ State Records Authority of New South Wales. "Department of Road Transport & Tramways".
  5. ^ State Records Authority of New South Wales. "Department of Government Tram and Omnibus Services (1952) / Department of Government Transport (1952-1972)".
  6. ^ Department of Environment & Planning (1988). Sydney Into Its Third Century: Metropolitan Strategy for the Sydney Region. Sydney.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ Ashton, Paul; Freestone, Robert (2008). "Planning". Dictionary of Sydney. Dictionary of Sydney Trust.
  8. ^ Passenger Transport Amendment (Bus Reform Bill) Government of New South Wales 2 June 2004
  9. ^ Annual Report for year ended 30 June 2005 Ministry of Transport pages 5/6
  10. ^ Important Notice Harris Park Transport
  11. ^ a b Changes to Area 13 Route Services Baxter's Bus Lines February 2005
  12. ^ a b Purchase of Baxter's Bus Lines Routes by ComfrtDelGro Cabcharge Baxter's Bus Lines 26 July 2006
  13. ^ a b Veolia to expand Sydney bus services Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 9 January 2007
  14. ^ a b Veolia buys Crowthers Buslink Australasian Bus & Coach 5 January 2009
  15. ^ a b Sutherland Covered Australasian Bus & Coach 26 September 2011
  16. ^ a b c d e Cut costs or bus contracts will go to private sector, minister tells drivers Archived 5 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 7 November 2012
  17. ^ a b c d e Tender shock rocks Sydney Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Bus & Coach 7 November 2012
  18. ^ Tenders open soon for Sydney bus services Transport NSW 25 February 2013
  19. ^ a b c Special treatment for Sydney contracts Australasian Bus & Coach 16 January 2013
  20. ^ Transit Systems secures Region 6 Australasian Bus & Coach 13 February 2018
  21. ^ "New bus contracts to drive improved services". Transport for NSW. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  22. ^ "Tenders for Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus services now open". Transport for NSW. 24 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  23. ^ a b "New Bus Operator to Electrify Fleet". Transport for NSW. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 7 – TfNSW 2020-010 – TfNSW 2020-010". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Busways' Sydney operations more than double with award of one of Transport for NSW's largest bus contracts". Busways. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 9 – TfNSW 2020-009 – TfNSW 2020-009". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Sydney Region 9 bus contract secured: John Holland-Transdev". Australasian Bus & Coach. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021.
  28. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contracts". Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  29. ^ a b c d "ComfortDelGro Australia Group Wins Bid to Expand Bus Services in Sydney". CDC NSW. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  30. ^ a b c "Transit Systems retains and adds Greater Sydney Bus Contracts". Transit Systems. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  31. ^ a b c d "Kelsian Awarded New Sydney Bus Services Contract". Australian Securities Exchange. Kelsian. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  32. ^ a b c "CIMIC's UGL awarded $250 million contract to operate buses in Sydney's South-West". UGL Limited. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  33. ^ a b c "Go-Ahead and UGL win contract to operate buses in Sydney's South-West". Go-head. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Busways retains bus operations in rapidly expanding Western Sydney". Busways. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  35. ^ a b c "Transit Systems Continues To Grow Its Government Bus Portfolio". Transit Systems. 20 February 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  36. ^ Blue over green Forest Coach Lines buses Manly Daily 11 January 2013
  37. ^ a b c d e f Transport for NSW 2013/14 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Transport for NSW. pp. 38–39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  38. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 1 - GSBC1". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Kelsian Awarded New Sydney Bus Services Contract" (PDF). Australian Securities Exchange. Kelsian. 18 February 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 2 - GSBC2". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 3 - Greater Sydney Bus Contract 3". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  42. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 4 - GSBSC4". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  43. ^ "Region 6 Bus Services – SBSC 006". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  44. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 7 – TfNSW 2020-010". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  45. ^ a b "Keolis Downer partners with TfNSW to deliver innovative transport solutions in Sydney's Northern beaches as the future bus operator". Keolis Downer. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  46. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 8 (GSBC8) – TfNSW 2020-008". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 9 – TfNSW 2020-009". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  48. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 10 - Greater Sydney Bus Contract 10". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  49. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 14 - GSBSC14". eTendering NSW. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Regional reviews by Ministry of Transport Archived 19 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Bus Routes
  51. ^ Region 1 Transport NSW
  52. ^ "Western Sydney bus service adjustments from 26 May". Busways. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  53. ^ Busways wins 300 bus contract in Western Sydney Busways 7 November 2012
  54. ^ a b c d New bus contracts benefit customers and taxpayers Archived 20 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 7 November 2012
  55. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract – SMBCS01 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering
  56. ^ Region 2 Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
  57. ^ a b c d More than 60 new buses and improved customer service with new bus contracts Archived 8 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 29 August 2013
  58. ^ Busabout News May 2014 Busabout
  59. ^ Region 3 Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
  60. ^ Transit Systems awarded Sydney buses contract Transit Systems 7 November 2012
  61. ^ Region 4 Transport NSW
  62. ^ NSW Bus Contract – Region 4 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Cabcharge 29 August 2013
  63. ^ Some Hillsbus Services Will Cease Operation from Midnight Thurs 27 Jan 2005 Hillsbus
  64. ^ Region 4 changes Archived 19 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Private Bus routes
  65. ^ a b c "ComfortDelGro wins city bus contracts worth A$1.7b in Sydney". The Business Times Singapore. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  66. ^ Region 6 Transport NSW
  67. ^ a b c d "State Transit 2013/14 Annual Report" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  68. ^ NSW Transport Minister announces inner-west bus region tender Archived 16 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 16 May 2017
  69. ^ Sydney Route Privatisation Australasian Bus & Coach 16 May 2017
  70. ^ Transit systems boosts Inner West bus services Archived 29 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 13 February 2018
  71. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract – SMBCS06 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering
  72. ^ Region 7 Transport NSW
  73. ^ a b c "State Transit Authority Annual Report 2017/2018" (PDF). Transport for NSW. 23 November 2018. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  74. ^ Region 8 Transport NSW
  75. ^ Region 9 Transport NSW
  76. ^ "Transdev John Holland JV Sets Pathway To Greener Connections In Sydney's Eastern Suburbs". John Holland. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021.
  77. ^ Region 10 Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
  78. ^ a b Veolia Transdev Secures Bus Contracts Transdev Australasia 16 January 2013
  79. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS10 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering
  80. ^ Region 14 Transport NSW
  81. ^ a b Mixed Result for Private Bus Operators Archived 24 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Association NSW 7 November 2012
  82. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contract 14 – Forest District – Infrastructure Pipeline". infrastructurepipeline.org. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  83. ^ a b "eTendering – Current Tender Detail View – TfNSW 2021 012-013-014-015". www.tenders.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  84. ^ Region 5 Transport NSW
  85. ^ a b Region 5 changes Archived 19 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Private Bus routes
  86. ^ a b About us Archived 28 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Punchbowl Bus Co
  87. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract – SMBCS05 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering
  88. ^ Region 11 Transport NSW
  89. ^ Sydney Bus Contract Map 2012 Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW
  90. ^ Region 12 Transport NSW
  91. ^ TransdevTSL Shorelink News September 2008
  92. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contract 12 – Upper North Shore – Infrastructure Pipeline". infrastructurepipeline.org. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  93. ^ Region 13 Transport NSW
  94. ^ Region 13 changes Archived 25 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Private Bus Routes
  95. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract – SMBCS13 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering
  96. ^ Region 15 Transport NSW
  97. ^ Busways Campbelltown Busways
  98. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract – SMBCS15 Archived 30 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine NSW eTendering
  99. ^ "As of 8th of October 2023, Busabout will no longer provide Buses services for Region 15". Busabout Sydney. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  100. ^ Opal Trips – Bus Archived 17 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW Open Data

Routes

B1 Mona Vale to Sydney CBD

Main article: B-Line (Sydney)

This is a limited stops route operating in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney. It is operated with a dedicated fleet of double deck buses.[1]

T80 Liverpool to Parramatta

Main article: Liverpool-Parramatta T-way

This is a bus rapid transit route operating in the south western part of Sydney, mostly along dedicated bus-only roads.[2]

North-West T-way

Main article: North-West T-way

A variety of routes operate along various sections of this T-Way, including some express services to the CBD.

Metrobus routes

Main article: Metrobus (Sydney)

Metrobus routes operate in various parts of Sydney. The original Metrobus routes run along major inner city corridors, passing through the Sydney central business district without terminating there. Later routes operate in areas further out from the city centre, connecting major suburban precincts.

Other routes

Many other routes operate throughout Sydney. Most of these routes are classified with three-digit route numbers based on the area of the city they operate in:

Special services are denoted by letter prefixes in their route number:

  • M - Metrobus services
  • B - B-Line services
  • E or X – Express service (used by State Transit; "E" is used for Northern Beaches services, "X" elsewhere – private operators use other conventions)
  • L – Limited Stops service (used by State Transit, although some Limited Stops routes use normal three-digit numbers)
  • T – Services operating, at least for the most part, via a T-Way
  • S – "Shopper Hopper" route (used for some private operators' routes that typically run between morning and afternoon peaks, Monday-Friday only)

Additionally, NightRide services are prefixed with N (although these services are not provided under a region contract).

On Demand services

Since late 2017 a number of On Demand services are being introduced throughout the metropolitan and outer metropolitan bus regions. These are not part of the Opal card ticketing system and most do not accept concession fares. However, OpalPay and concession fares can be used and accepted on the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs services which are currently operated by Bridj.[3]

As of August 2018, the on demand services in Greater Sydney are:[3]

Patronage

The following table lists patronage figures for the network of contract regions (in millions of journeys) during the corresponding financial year. Australia's financial years start on 1 July and end on 30 June. Major events that affected the number of journeys made or how patronage is measured are included as notes.

Bus patronage in Sydney by financial year
Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Patronage
(millions) 		198.7 203.3 204.6 209.0 232.0
[a][b] 		— 253.1
[c] 		264.3
Reference [5] [6] [7]
  1. ^ Opal rollout completed in November 2014
  2. ^ Includes School Student Travel Scheme boardings and boardings on free shuttle services from January 2015
  3. ^ Figures from 2016-17 onwards are based on Opal tap on and tap off data. Non-Opal tickets were discontinued in August 2016.
2021–22 Sydney bus patronage by contract region[8]
Region 1 6 100 000
Region 2 1 897 000
Region 3 5 148 000
Region 4 8 751 000
Region 5 2 051 000
Region 6 23 302 000
Region 7 13 311 000
Region 8 14 269 000
Region 9 24 219 000
Region 10 3 720 000
Region 12 1 583 000
Region 13 3 986 000
Region 14 2 539 000
Region 15 1 594 000
2017-18 patronage of Transport for NSW's Sydney services by mode[9]
2023–24 Transport for NSW patronage in Sydney by mode[10]
Mode Patronage % of total

Metro 		23,297,166 4.02

Train 		278,134,346 47.93

Bus 		220,944,633 38.08

Ferry 		17,270,282 2.98

Light rail 		40,598,539 6.99
Total 580,244,966 100.00

Fleet

Bus types

Double-decker buses were a common sight in previous decades and have recently returned to Sydney. This particular example, painted in the Transport NSW livery, is operated by Hillsbus.

As the Government has moved to a contestable contract model since the Unsworth report, so it has acquired a greater interest in the buses acquired to operate its routes. The NSW Government buys many of the new buses entering service in private operator fleets, and enjoys step-in rights where a private operator loses a contract. State Transit and the private operators must buy new vehicles from approved panel suppliers. These are Asia Motors, Bustech, Custom Coaches, Heavy Vehicles Australia, Hino, Iveco, MAN, Scania, Volgren and Volvo.

The approved bus types are:[11]

  • 14.5-metre two-door city bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 80
  • 18-metre articulated two- or three-door city bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 110
  • 12-metre two-door double deck city bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 90
  • 10-metre single-door 'mini' bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 40
  • 12.5-metre single-door city bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 65
  • 12.5-metre single-door school bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 70
  • 12.5-metre two-door school bus, with a combined seating and standing capacity of 65.

In 2017 the government announced that articulated buses would be progressively phased out in favour of double-deckers.[12]

Livery

Bus, train and taxi signage at Arncliffe railway station adheres to the guidelines set by Transport for NSW.

Until 2010, each bus operator determined the livery for their vehicles. In late 2010, the NSW Government introduced a new livery for use on all new vehicles entering service on the network. The design is composed of a light blue (Pantone Matching System 297) background, a white chevron shape pointing in the direction of travel, and dark blue (Pantone Matching System 281) bumpers. Although there was some resistance from bus operators, including Forest Coach Lines, who feared losing their brand identity, all operators had accepted the new requirements by 2013.[13][14][15]

Bus priority infrastructure

Many roads in Sydney have bus priority lanes. There are two types of bus lanes in Sydney;[16]

  • Bus Lane - For use by Taxis, Hire Cars (Not Rentals), Motorcycles, Bicycles, Emergency Vehicles and special purpose vehicles and vehicles also operated by or under the direction of Roads and Maritime Services.
  • Bus Only Lane - For the exclusive use of Buses and authorised special purpose vehicles.

Many of them are operational for 24 hours, or during the peak hour. Cameras are often set up along bus lanes and drivers who break rules by driving along bus lanes at dedicated times are fined.[17]

Map
The bus-only roads in Sydney

Dedicated bus only roads include a separate road in Moore Park which shadows parts of Alison Road and Anzac Parade,[18] the Bennelong Bridge, as well as dedicated roadways at the centre of M2 Hills Motorway[19] and T-ways.

Sydney has two operating transitways (or T-ways):

These T-ways can only be used by buses or authorised vehicles. Cameras have been set up along the T-way and vehicles without unauthorised access are fined.

Ticketing and fares

The bus network uses the smartcard-based Opal ticketing system. Opal is also valid on light rail, train and ferry services but separate fares apply for these modes. Opal's bus fares are the same as those for light rail but the fares are not combined when interchanging between the two modes. This is due to change once the CBD and South East Light Rail opens; all bus passengers interchanging with light rail will only pay one fare, calculated from the start of their trip on one mode to the end of their trip on the other.[20][21] Bus drivers also sell non-smartcard Opal single trip tickets. The single trip tickets are more expensive than the standard Opal fare. They are only valid for travel on the bus service on which they are purchased.[22] The following table lists Opal fares for reusable smartcards and single trip tickets as of 2 July 2018:[23]

Bus or light rail
  As of 1 Jul 24		 0–3 km 3–8 km >8 km
Adult cards & contactless (peak) $3.20 $4.36 $5.60
Adult cards & contactless (off-peak) $2.24 $3.05 $3.92
Other cards (peak) $1.60 $2.18 $2.80^
Other cards (off-peak) $1.12 $1.52 $1.96
Adult single trip $4.00 $5.20 $6.70
Child/Youth single trip $2.00 $2.60 $3.40

Notes and references

  1. ^ New B-Line to transform Northern Beaches Bus travel Transport for NSW 9 November 2015
  2. ^ Transit Systems secures Region 6 Bus Contract (Final Paragraph} Transit Systems
  3. ^ a b "On Demand public transport". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Wetherill Park On Demand service". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Transport for NSW Annual Report 2013-14" (PDF). Transport for NSW. p. 395. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Transport for NSW Annual Report 2014-15" (PDF). Transport for NSW. p. 131. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Bus Patronage - Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Bus Patronage – Monthly Figures". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  9. ^ See Transport for NSW patronage in Sydney by mode for sources
  10. ^ See Transport for NSW patronage in Sydney by mode for sources
  11. ^ Transport for NSW (June 2010). "Outer and metropolitan bus system bus specification guidelines".
  12. ^ Gerathy, Sarah; Raper, Ashleigh (13 June 2017). "NSW Budget: New hospital, bus boost and roads planning announced with one week to go". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  13. ^ Smith, Alexandra (22 December 2010). "Out of the blue, an illusion of more buses, all dressed alike". Sydney Morning Herald.
  14. ^ Blue over green Forest Coach Lines buses Archived 2013-04-29 at the Wayback Machine Manly Daily 11 January 2013
  15. ^ Transport for NSW (October 2013). "Livery specification, Custom Coaches rigid 12 metre" (PDF).
  16. ^ NSW, Roads and Maritime Services,. "Bus lanes". Roads and Maritime Services. Retrieved 2 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "Bus lanes". rms.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Temporary closure of Moore Park Bus Roadway from 5 June - 26 Feb 2015". State Transit. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  19. ^ Tan, Su-Lin (12 March 2015). "Traffic chaos as bus catches on fire on M2 motorway". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  20. ^ "Opal to go live on light rail months ahead of schedule". Transport for NSW. 24 November 2014.
  21. ^ Opal rollout extends to light rail Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport Info NSW 25 November 2014
  22. ^ "Opal single trip tickets". opal.com.au. Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Opal fares". opal.com.au. Transport for NSW. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
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