Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Service Changes from December 2020

There will be major changes to the bus network across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore from December 2020. This includes over 2000 new weekly service, the introduction of a new all day “frequent” network and other changes to the local bus network. 

A new frequent network and changes to local services will be implemented across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore from December 2020 – Transport NSW Blog Collection.

The new frequent network of routes operating every 10 minutes across the day, seven days a week are:

  • Route B1 – Mona Vale to City via Dee Why and Spit Junction
  • Route 100 – Mosman to City via Spit Junction and Military Road
  • Route 144 – Manly to Chatswood via Spit Junction and St Leonards
  • Route 160X – Dee Why to Chatswood via Beacon Hill and Frenchs Forest 
  • Route 199 – Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why

Route B1 will now operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week, with a service every 30 minutes seven days a week between Mona Vale and the CBD via Dee Why between midnight and 4am. New overnight services from Manly to Avalon via Mona Vale and North Sydney via Spit Junction will also be introduced. 

Other changes to the local bus network have been designed to support the new frequent network, improve connections and reduce service duplication, particularly from Warringah Mall towards Manly and the City. A list of all changes are listed below.

NEW FREQUENT NETWORK FROM DECEMBER 2020

Route B1

Mona Vale to City

(existing B-line)

  • The existing B-Line will become part of the new all-day frequent network being introduced on the northern beaches.
  • Services will continue to operate at least every 10 minutes across the day.
  • New overnight services will operate every 30 minutes between midnight and 4am daily.
  • This means B-Line services will now operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Route 100

Mosman to City

(New Route)

  • This is a new frequent route that will operate between Mosman (Taronga Zoo) and the Queen Victoria Building in the city from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week.
  • Buses will run at least every 10 minutes across the day, and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night.
  • Services operating towards Taronga Zoo will pick up customers at Wynyard on Clarence Street.

Route 144

Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards

  • This is a new frequent route that will replace routes 143 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards) and 144 (Manly to Chatswood via Royal North Shore Hospital ).
  • It will operate from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week .
  • At St Leonards, route 144 will operate direct via the Pacific Highway, with stops for RNS Hospital near Reserve Road. Customers wishing to access the main entrance of RNS Hospital can use new route 114 (Balmoral Beach to RNS Hospital).

Route 160X

Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest

(limited stops)

  • This is a new frequent route with limited stops that will operate from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week.
  • Buses will run at least every 10 minutes across the day, and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night.

Route 199

Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why

  • This is a new frequent route that replaces the current route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly ).
  • Buses will run at least every 10 minutes across the day, and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night.
  • Overnight services will operate between Avalon and Manly, seven days a week . Overnight buses will run every 30 to 60 minutes with extra trips on Friday and Saturday nights.

LOCAL NETWORK CHANGES FROM DECEMBER 2020

Route 111

South Mosman to Chowder Bay

(New Route)

  • This is a new route that will replace existing routes 236 and 244.
  • Route 111 will operate between South Mosman and Chowder Bay via Mosman from early morning until early evening, seven days a week.
  • Customers travelling from Chowder Bay to the city can transfer to the frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) at Mosman Junction; customers from South Mosman travelling to Spit Junction on existing route 236 can transfer to the frequent route 100 at Mosman Junction.

Route 114

Balmoral Beach to Royal North Shore Hospital

(New Route)

  • This is a new route that will replace routes 245 and 257 in the Mosman area, and will replace route 144 serving RNS Hospital.
  • Customers travelling from Balmoral Beach to the city can transfer to the frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) at either Spit Junction or Neutral Bay Junction; customers travelling from the Mosman area to Willoughby can transfer from route 114 to route 343 at Crows Nest.

Route 132

Warringah Mall to Manly via North Balgowlah

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by two new routes: route 162 between Seaforth, Balgowlah Heights and Manly, and route 172X between Warringah Mall, North Balgowlah and Seaforth.

Route 135

North Head to Warringah Mall via Manly

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 161 between Manly and North Head.

Route 136

Chatswood to Manly

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by frequent route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 166 between Manly, Freshwater, Dee Why and Frenchs Forest.

Route 139

Warringah Mall to Manly via South Curl Curl

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 167 between Warringah Mall and Manly.
  • The route path of the existing service is unchanged, however, service frequency on route 167 will be increased to buses every 20 minutes throughout the day to support ferry connection at Manly.

Route 143

Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by frequent route 144 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards)

Route 146

Wheeler Heights to Manly

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 179 between Wheeler Heights and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to the frequent route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) at Dee Why.

Route 151

Mona Vale to City via Manly (late night service)

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced with additional overnight services on routes B1 (B-Line), 144N and 199 (Avalon to Manly).

Route 158

Cromer to Manly

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn. Alternative services will be available on routes 179 and 180 from Parkes Road or Fisher Road North.

Route 159

Dee Why to Manly

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 177 between Dee Why and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to the frequent route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) at Warringah Mall.

Route 161

Manly to North Head

(New Route)

  • New route. This route will replace route 135 between Manly and North Head.

Route 162

Seaforth to Manly

(New Route)

  • This route will replace route 132 between Seaforth and Manly.

Route 166

Frenchs Forest to Manly via Dee Why Beach

(New Route)

  • New route. This route will replace existing route 136 between Frenchs Forest and Manly.

Route 167

Warringah Mall to Manly via South Curl Curl

(New Route)

  • New route. This route will replace existing route 139 between Warringah Mall and Manly.

Route 168

North Balgowlah to Milsons Point

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn. Between Warringah Mall, North Balgowlah and Neutral Bay Junction this route will be replaced by route 172X. Customers travelling to North Sydney can transfer to route 154X at Spit Junction.

Route 169

Manly to City via Narraweena

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by a number of other routes, comprising:
    • frequent Route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 193 between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest
    • frequent Route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) between Dee Why and Manly
    • Route 141 between Frenchs Forest and Seaforth
    • Route 172X between Seaforth and the City
    • Route 174X between Narraweena and Allambie Road

Route 170

Manly to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn. Customers travelling to the city can use the F1 ferry service, or route 144 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards) to Spit Junction and transferring to route B1 (B-Line).

Route 173

Narraweena to Milsons Point

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by a number of other routes, comprising:
    • frequent Route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 193 between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest
    • frequent Route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) between Dee Why and Manly
    • Route 141 between Frenchs Forest and Seaforth
    • Route 172X between Seaforth and the City
    • Route 174X between Narraweena and Allambie Road
  • Customers travelling to North Sydney can transfer to route 154X at Dee Why, route 260 at Frenchs Forest or route 230 at Neutral Bay, Watson Street.

Route 177

Dee Why to Warringah Mall

(New Route)

  • New route. This route will replace route 159 between Dee Why (Pacific Parade) and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to frequent route 199 at Warringah Mall (Pittwater Rd).

Route 178

Cromer Heights to Warringah Mall

  • This route will change to operate between Cromer Heights and Warringah Mall only, and no longer operate to or from the city.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.
  • Service frequency will be increased throughout the week to support connections to the B-line at Dee Why.

Route 179

Wheeler Heights to Warringah Mall

(New Route)

  • This route replaces route 146 between Wheeler Heights and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to the frequent route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) at Dee Why.

Route 180

Collaroy Plateau to Warringah Mall

  • This route will change to operate between Collaroy Plateau and Warringah Mall only, and no longer operate to or from the city.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.
  • Service frequency will be increased throughout the week to support connections to the B-line at Dee Why.
  • During weekday peak periods, route 180X will continue to provide direct City access.

Route 185

Mona Vale to Narrabeen via Warriewood Valley

  • This route will change to operate between Mona Vale and Narrabeen only.
  • Customers travelling to Warringah Mall can transfer to frequent routes B1 (B-Line) or route 199 at Narrabeen.
  • Service frequency will be increased during weekday peak periods and evenings to support connections to the B-line and frequent route 199 at Narrabeen.

Route 188

Mona Vale to City (late night service)

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new overnight services on routes B1 (B-Line), 144N and 199.

Route 227

Mosman Junction to Milsons Point

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional trips on route 230.

Route 236

South Mosman Wharf to Spit Junction

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 111 between South Mosman Wharf and Mosman Junction.
  • Customers travelling to Spit Junction can transfer to frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) or new route 114 at Mosman Junction.

Route 244

Chowder Bay to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 111 between Chowder Bay and Mosman Junction.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) at Mosman Junction, or connect to regular ferry services at South Mosman wharf.

Route 245

Balmoral to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 114 (Balmoral Beach to RNS Hospital).
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) on Military Road or frequent City buses at Cremorne or Neutral Bay.

Route 247

Mosman (Taronga Zoo) to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by frequent route 100 between Taronga Zoo and the City.

Route 248

Seaforth to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by frequent route 144 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards) in Seaforth, and routes 172X, 173X and 249 on Spit Road Mosman.

Route 257

Chatswood to Balmoral via Crows Nest

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 114 between Balmoral Beach and Crows Nest.
  • Customers travelling towards Willoughby can transfer to route 343 at Crows Nest.

Route 430

Mosman (Taronga Zoo) to Sydenham via City

  • This route will change to operate between the City and Sydenham only, and no longer operate to or from Taronga Zoo.
  • Services between Taronga Zoo and the City will be replaced by frequent route 100.

Route 144N

Manly to North Sydney (late night service)

(New Route)

  • New route. Route 144N will operate as a new overnight route between North Sydney and Manly, operating seven nights a week, with connections to and from B-line services at Neutral Bay.

Route 154X

Dee Why to Milsons Point

  • This route will change to operate between Dee Why and Milsons Point only, and no longer operate between Mona Vale and Dee Why.
  • Customers between Mona Vale and Dee Why can catch frequent routes B1 (B-Line) or frequent route 199 from Mona Vale to Dee Why and transfer to route 154X for travel to North Sydney.

Route 166X

Allambie Heights to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 174X, with additional services provided during morning and afternoon peak periods.

Route 168X

North Balgowlah to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 172X.

Route 169X

Manly to City via Narraweena

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by a number of other routes, comprising:
  • frequent Route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 193 between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest
  • frequent Route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) between Dee Why and Manly
  • Route 141 between Frenchs Forest and Seaforth
  • Route 172X between Seaforth and the City
  • Route 174X between Narraweena and Allambie Road
  • Customers travelling to North Sydney can transfer to route 154X at Dee Why, route 260 at Frenchs Forest or route 230 at Neutral Bay, Watson Street.

Route 171X

Manly to City via Clontarf

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 162 between Manly and Seaforth.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to new route 172X at Sydney Road, Seaforth.
  • Additional service frequency will be provided on route 162 during weekday peak periods to support connections to route 172X at Seaforth shops.

Route 172X

Warringah Mall to City Wynyard via North Balgowlah

(New Route)

  • New route. This is a new route that will operate between Warringah Mall, North Balgowlah, Seaforth and the city.
  • Services will run from around 6am to midnight, seven days a week.
  • Route 172X will replace existing route 168X services in North Balgowlah and 169 and 169X services in the Seaforth area.

Route 173X

Warringah Mall to City Wynyard via Balgowlah Shops

(New Route)

  • New route. Route 173X will replace existing route 175X, 178 and 180 services between Warringah Mall, Balgowlah shops and the city.
  • Services will run from around 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

Route 174X

Narraweena to City Wynyard

(New Route)

  • New route. Route 174X will replace existing route 166X from Allambie Heights to the City, and route 169X between Narraweena and Skyline Shops.
  • Additional services will operate during morning and afternoon peak periods.

Route 175X

Warringah Mall to City via Balgowlah Shops

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 173X. The route path of the existing service is unchanged.
  • Services will run from around 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

Route 178X

Cromer Heights to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 178 between Cromer Heights, Dee Why and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.

Route 179X

Wheeler Heights to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 179 between Wheeler Heights, Dee Why and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.
  • Additional services will operate during morning and afternoon peak periods on route 179.

Route 181X

Narrabeen to City Wynyard

(New Route)

  • New route. Route 181X will operate during weekday peak periods between Narrabeen and the City.

Route 183X

North Narrabeen to City via Elanora Heights

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 182 between North Narrabeen, Elanora Heights and Narrabeen.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) or new route 181X at Narrabeen.

Route 185X

Mona Vale to City via Warriewood Valley

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 185 between Mona Vale and Narrabeen.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) or new 181X at Narrabeen.

Route 188X

North Avalon to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 190X.
  • Customers can catch frequent route 199 to Avalon and transfer to route 190X for travel to the city.

Route 189X

Avalon to City

(Withdrawn Route)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 191 between Bilgola Plateau and Avalon.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to route 190X at Avalon.

Route 190X

Avalon to City Wynyard

  • This route will be changed to operate between Avalon and the city during weekday peak periods only, replacing existing routes 188X and 189X.
  • Buses will run frequently during weekday peak periods.
  • During weekday off peak times and on weekends, customers travelling from Palm Beach, Avalon or Newport to or from the City can use new frequent route 199 and transfer to route B1 B-line services at Mona Vale.

Routes B1, 137, 141, 142, 145,  155, 156, 182, 191, 192, 193, 201, 225, 228, 229, 230, 238, 243, 246, 249, 263, 150X, 165X, 170X, 176X, 177X and 180X will see no change, other than minor timetable adjustments in order to better align with new services. 

23 Replies to “Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Service Changes from December 2020”

  1. This is not great news for locals. Residents on the lower north shore will lose three direct bus routes to the city, one direct bus route to Chatswood, and one direct bus route to Sydenham. This will make travelling not only inconvenient (with multiple changes required), but services will become even more crowded, and residents in certain areas will find it more difficult to travel (especially at certain times of the day).

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    1. Hi Terri,

      I understand that it is very annoying when you loose direct service to a number of destinations. Unfortunately, there has been decision made to prioritise more frequent routes and allow for easy connections between different services. For example Route 143 to Chatswood will be replaced by more 144 services to Chatswood, whilst 430 services will be replaced by new Route 100 services between Mosman and the QVB.

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      1. This doesn’t answer the concerns. The 257 went directly to Chatswood without changes, the 430 went directly to Central without changes. The QVB isn’t the same as Central. Quite obvious changes made by bureaucrats who are not elderly, infirm or push a push chair.

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  2. I don’t understand the alternatives for the 169 removal. Living in Beacon Hill travelling to the city this route has been degraded numerous times (10 years ago it was possible to catch the E69, E71 and E73 from a nearby stop) and now the last single bus option has been removed and replaced by what looks like having to take 2, maybe 3 busses but it’s very unclear. Starting point being around government road/Warringah road heading to city, between the prescribed narraweena and frenches forest ‘alternatives’, neither of which are depicted as direct. Alternatives include having to take a car to get to an effective route… aren’t we supposed to avoid private travel?

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    1. Hi Paul,

      Beacon Hill will retain its direct services to the CBD during peak times, with route 174X beginning on McIntosh Road, Narraweena and running along Warringah Road between Alfred Street and Skyline Shops/Allambie Road through Beacon Hill. It will then continue towards the CBD as per the current route 166X via Allambie Heights and Manly Vale. Outside of peak those living in Beacon Hill will need to use Routes 160X, 166 or 193 to connect to the B-Line in Dee Why or Brookvale for travel towards the CBD.

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      1. This whole timetable however it is described is a complete embarrassment on behalf of TfNSW and Liberal Government. For residents living in between DeeWhy and Chatswood have been treated 2nd rate and deserve better. The whole STA saga is a joke to say the least

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      2. 174X does not start on McIntosh Road NARRAWEENA. It has always started on Warringah Road NARRAWEENA. Please get your info right at TfNSW.

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  3. Hi,
    Could I please get a map showing the new bus routes, particularly highlighting the bus routes through North Balgowlah to the City, Manly, Warringah Mall, Chatswood, St Leonards, Frenchs Forest pls.
    Thanks

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  4. These changes mean that lot of direct services will be replaced by services which require changing buses.
    It’s certainly going to send many people scurrying to their garages to get into their cars.
    While many are happy to take public transport as an alternative to driving if the route is simple and direct, the same wont be true if it requires a change of buses – especially during busy periods.
    Remove the 257 and make people change buses to get to Willoughby or Chatswood and those that can will drive. Get rid of the 245 to Balmoral Beach from the city and more people from the South, East and West of Sydney will drive to the beach creating even worse traffic havoc.
    The same goes for people travelling from the Lower North Shore to the inner West on the 430. Who wants to change buses in the city? So, even more cars on the roads.
    Its a great plan to streamline and save money. It comes at the expense of service to the public – as always! The result is going to be fewer rather than more people using public transport.

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  5. Can you please explain what the minor timetable changes are for the 243. I can’t believe the 247 is being replaces I have been catching that bus for over 50 years

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  6. I fail to see how catching 191 bus from Bilgola Plateau down to Avalon then new 190X is an improvement in service. Will now be backtracking to get into city and estimate will take 30 mins longer a day. I’ll be jumping in my car and heading to the B1 now. Well done. Putting more cars back on the road. The 189X or E89 was a well used route. Can’t see why anyone would remove it. Make more sensed if needed to change to extend 191 to do a loop to Mona Vale for ease of transfer.

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  7. Hi,

    I normally get the E69 to the city from Wakehurst Parkway/Armstrong Street. Can you please tell me what my new route to the city will be?

    Like

  8. The new 193 doesn’t connect to Dee Why. It runs between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest. I trust the existing 193 Forest Coach lines service will continue to operate. It will be confusing to have two services numbered 193 going along Warringah Rd.

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  9. I believe the northern beaches council wrote to the dept of transport about the implications of cancelling a number of services in the wider Seaforth, North Balgowlah area. In particular, the 169x provides a frequent service to/from the city via Wakehurst parkway/Clontarf road. I don’t understand how replacing the 169 with the 141 to Seaforth village, which significantly less frequent, 30-60mins is an acceptable proposition to local residents. There is no parking in Seaforth village, and city-bound residents have to drive back up the northern beaches to access the B line which will put more pressure on the commuter parking volumes. The only reasonable conclusion to reach is that you intend for more commuters to drive rather than use public transport.

    Like

  10. When are these changes happening? Your Customer Service line is unable to tell me, nor does your website.

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  11. Not happy jack!
    I am a senior citizen living in Seaforth North, and now we seniors (and there are many living in the Seaforth/Balgowlah precincts) are expected to somehow juggle two buses just to get to either City, Warringah Mall or Manly. And what of the traffic nightmare that will occur at Seaforth? All a mess!!!

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  12. This is terrible news for anyone who doesn’t live on Pitwater Rd. Elimination of direct services to the city for northern beaches residents will add to commute times, push more people into cars and reduce property values for anyone who no longer has direct access to the city. I can only imagine this is an attempt at window dressing before privatisation of the bus service.. In any respect this decision puts residents last and is an utter failing of government.

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  13. This whole STA timetable upgrade is absolutely appalling, especially for residents living west of Dee Why. We have no direct city bus services at all. To whom ever thought of this upgrade should lay there heads in shame. It is totally double standards.

    Residents east of Pittwater Road on lower Northern Beaches get to keep their direct services . Stuff if you live on western side, we are treated like we are worth nothing. This whole thing is absolutely appalling. Cant wait till STA is canned altogether. Privatisation of STA cant come quick enough.

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  14. Another massive fail is the express buses from the city to northern beaches now stop at neutral bay. So the bus is often full from Stand A at wynyard with people getting off at Neutral Bay, while people needing to go further cannot get on. They need to make people getting off before spit jct to go and catch the clarence st buses that are designed for them. Madness.

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  15. This whole timetable however it is described is a complete embarrassment on behalf of TfNSW and Liberal Government. For residents living in between DeeWhy and Chatswood have been treated 2nd rate and deserve better. The whole STA saga is a joke to say the least

    Like

  16. Another thing, what beat me is how, whoever organised, having route number 150x and so on. To me they are not express services as most STA services mostly stop at every stop past the harbour Bridge. This whole time table is a rort.

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