Posted on

Keolis Downer wins Region 8 Contract

Transport for NSW has announced that Keolis Downer have been successful in tendering for the Region 8 contract, which includes bus services on the Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches operated out of Brookvale, Mona Vale and North Sydney depots.

Bus Services on the Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches will be taken over by Keolis Downer from 31 October 2021

Keolis Downer will take over the $900 million contract from 31 October 2021, delivering over 1.2 million services each year. A key point in the contract will see the introduction of 125 electric buses over the next eight years, as older Volvo B10BLE and Volvo B12BLE vehicles are retired from the fleet.

The contract will see new headway technology will be implemented on buses used for the B-Line in order to improve reliability of services. Also as part of the contract on demand services between Mona Vale and Palm Beach will become permanent.

All existing State Transit drivers and maintenance staff will be offered a two year job guarantee with Keolis Downer.

Posted on

Proposed New Eastern Suburbs Bus Network

Transport for NSW has proposed a new bus network for the Eastern Suburbs. This new network has been designed to integrate with the CBD and South East Light Rail and provide more services across the Eastern Suburbs. Transport for NSW are currently seeking feedback on the proposed network, which you can provide at this link

Transport for NSW have proposed a new bus network for the Eastern Suburbs – Transport NSW Blog Collection

Summary of Key Changes

  • Retained eight direct express services to/from the CBD in the AM and PM peaks, with increased frequencies
  • Nine new “All Day Frequent Network” routes, operating every 10 minutes or better 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week
  • New and improved East-West and North-South cross regional connections based on customer travel patterns
  • Better connections to key hubs Bondi Junction, UNSW, Newtown, the University of Sydney, Eastgardens, Green Square and Redfern.
  • Better integration with the new CBD and South East Light Rail
  • Reduction of duplicating bus services, including the removal of bus services to the CBD duplicating the Light Rail and to Bondi Junction duplicating the new All Day Frequent Routes

Summary of Route Changes

  • 11 New Routes
    • 306, 310, 350, 350N, 356, 358, 373N, 375, 390X, 392N, 469
  • 23 Modified Routes
    • 303, 304, 307, 309, 313, 320, 339, 339X, 343, 347, 355, 362, 370, 373X, 374, 374X, 377X, 392, 397, 399, 418, 420, 420N
  • 25 Withdrawn Routes
    • 300, 301, 302, 309X, 310X, 314, 316, 317, 338, 353, 357, 372, 373, 376, 377, 391, 393, 394, 395, 400, 400N, L94, X40, X93, X99 
  • 24 Routes with no changes
    • 200, 311, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 333, 342, 352, 360, 379, 380, 381, 386, 387, 388, 392X, 394X, 396, 396X, 397X, L24 

The “All Day Frequent Network” will operate every 10 minutes or better 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. It is designed to provide high frequency connections along key corridors to major hubs. Routes include;

  • 304 – Green Square to Circular Quay via Surry Hills
  • 309 – Matraville to Redfern via Botany Road
  • 333 – North Bondi to Circular Quay via Bondi Junction
  • 343 – Kingsford to Circular Quay via Rosebery
  • 350 – Bondi Junction to Sydney Airport via Eastgardens
  • 370 – Coogee to University of Sydney via Green Square
  • 379 – Bronte to North Bondi via Bondi Junction
  • 390X – Bondi Junction to La Perouse via Maroubra Junction
  • 392 – Matraville to Redfern via Eastgardens

A full list of changes is provided below

Continue reading “Proposed New Eastern Suburbs Bus Network”
Posted on

Farewell to the Mercedes Benz 0405NH ‘Citaro’

After 22 years in service across Sydney, the final Mercedes Benz 0405NH Citaro will be retired by the end of this month. 300 of the type were built specially for Sydney and operated out of Leichhardt, Port Botany, Ryde and Waverley depots.

Mercedes Benz 0405NH Citaro 1405 is followed by 1401, both showing 506 as they travel through Ryde – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Continue reading “Farewell to the Mercedes Benz 0405NH ‘Citaro’”
Posted on

Bus Service Changes from 18 April 2021

There will be changes to bus services across Western Sydney from 18 April 2021. This will include over 2000 extra services a week across both route and school services to help support new developments and provide better connections across the network.

There will be changes to bus services in Western Sydney from 18 April 2021 – Transport NSW Blog Collection

Key Changes include

  • New routes 740, 748 and 824
  • Routes 810 and 811 converted to 810X and 811X full time
  • Route 757 will be withdrawn
  • Route changes for routes 747, 751 and 807

A full list of changes is included below

Continue reading “Bus Service Changes from 18 April 2021”
Posted on

Photos – Farewell C Sets

Initially entering service in July 1986, the Chopper sets have now been retired from service with Sydney Trains. The final passenger trip for the C sets was on 26 February 2021, with a final farewell tour on 6 March 2021

Initially entering service as an extension of the contract for suburban K set cars, the C sets were the first train in the NSW fleet to be operated by “Chopper control”. This new technology was designed to improve passenger comfort and safety through stepless control of acceleration, improved traction reliability and redesigned regenerative brakes. At the time, the NSW railways were still ordering trains with outdated Camshaft technology, which was being discontinued by rail manufacturers.

The C sets were the forerunners to the all new Tangara design that was specifically built to take advantage of this new Chopper technology. The the order was further designed to provide a chance for railway engineers to familiarise themselves with the new technology ahead of the larger Tangara order.

The final revenue service operated by a C set terminated at Liverpool at 9:25pm on Friday 26 February 2021. They will be replaced by new Waratah Series 2 trains.

See below for some photos from the C set farewell tour;

V6 passes C5 at Mount Victoria – Transport NSW Blog Collection
C5 seen at Glenbrook – Transport NSW Blog Collection
C5 at Katoomba with a large number of train spotters swarming the train for photos – Transport NSW Blog Collection
C1 at Mount Victoria – Transport NSW Blog Collection
C1 at Hawkesbury River – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Posted on

Photos – Farewell to Waverley Gas Buses

Waverley depot has a history of over 20 years of operation of buses powered by compressed natural gas, with Scania L113CRB Orana Mercedes Benz 0405NH Citaro and Mercedes Benz OC500LE CB60 EvoII models all operating from the depot. At its peak, over 100 gas buses operated from the depot

However, due to the aging nature of many gas buses necessitating their replacement and also a desire to introduce electric buses at Waverley Depot, the gas powered fleet at Waverley have been decommissioned from service.

On February 27 2021, a tour was held to farewell the gas bus fleet at Waverley Depot, after their final day in service earlier that week. Here are some photos from the day.

Gas Scania 3509 and Merc Citaro 1329seen at La Perouse – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Gas Scania 3509 leads Merc Citaro 1329 up the hill from Malabar Beach – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Gas Scania 3509 sits at Malabar Beach – Transport NSW Blog Collection
The Merc Citaro graveyard at Port Botany depot, with rows of withdrawn Citaros awaiting their turn to be scrapped – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Merc Citaro 1321 at Clovelly Beach – Transport NSW Blog
Merc Citaros 1321 and 1348 turn around at Clovelly – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Merc Citaro 1348 seen at Bondi Beach – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Merc Citaros 1321 and 1348 seen at Bondi Beach – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Posted on

Bus Service Changes from 24 January 2021

There will be changes to the bus network and timetables across Sydney from 24 January 2021, with changes to timetables and services in the Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, Northern Suburbs and the Shire. This will include over 700 additional bus services, two new routes as part of the all day “frequent” network and other changes to the bus network to support easier interchange and reduce duplication.

There will be changes to the bus network and timetables across Sydney from 24 January 2021 – Transport NSW Blog Collection

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

  • Route 120 – Chatswood to City QVB via North Willoughby and Willoughby Road
  • Route 500X – West Ryde to City Hyde Park via Top Ryde and Victoria Road

Other changes to the local bus network have been designed to support the new frequent network, improve connections and reduce service duplication. A list of all the changes to the network are provided below

BUS SERVICE CHANGES FROM 24 JANUARY 2021
Route 115
Chatswood to City
(New Route)		This is a new route that will replace route 343 between Chatswood and the city. Early morning and late night services will operate between Chatswood and North Sydney only.
Route 120 Chatswood to City QVB
(New Route)		This is a new frequent route that will operate between Chatswood and the QVB in the city. The new route replaces routes 272 (North Willoughby to City Wynyard) and 340 (Bondi Junction to Chatswood via City).
Route 200 
Artarmon to Bondi Junction		This route will be changed to operate between Artarmon (Campbell Street) and Bondi Junction only. There will be no change to current service frequency or hours of operation.
Route 272 
North Willoughby to City Wynyard
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 120 (Chatswood to City QVB).
Route 333 
North Bondi to City Circular Quay via Bondi Junction		Minor timetable changes to meet demand and improve reliability, maintaining the current frequencies of every 6 minutes or better during the day, and every 10 minutes or better during the early morning and evening, 7 days a week. Route 333 will now operate 24 hours, replacing overnight 333N services. Additional stops will be introduced along Oxford St to support improved customer access.
Route 333N
North Bondi to City Circular Quay via Bondi Junction
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and existing early morning and late night services will operate as route 333.
Route 340
 Bondi Junction to Chatswood via City
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 120 (Chatswood to City QVB). Customers using route 340 between Bondi Junction and the City can use alternative services such as routes 333 and 440.
Route 343
 Kingsford to Chatswood via City
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will change to operate between City and Kingsford only. Services between Chatswood, North Sydney and the city will be replaced by the new route 115 (Chatswood to City via North Sydney). Route 343 will continue to operate between Kingsford and the City, with no changes to service frequency or hours of operation.
Route 500X 
West Ryde to City Hyde Park 
(New Route)		This is a new frequent route that will operate between West Ryde and Hyde Park in the city. The new route replaces routes:M52 (Parramatta to City Circular Quay)515 (currently Eastwood to City)*518 (currently Macquarie University to City)**520 (Parramatta to City Circular Quay)X15 (City Town Hall to Eastwood)X18 (City Town Hall to Denistone)* Route 515 will change to operate between Eastwood and Ryde shops** Route 518 will change to operate between Macquarie University and Meadowbank
Route 500N Parramatta to City Hyde Park
(New Route)		This is a new route that will replace the overnight services on route 520 (Parramatta to City Circular Quay). The 500N will operate between around 12am to 5am, seven days a week.
Route 501 Parramatta to Central Pitt StThis route will change to operate to Parramatta (currently runs to West Ryde) and will replace route M52 services between Parramatta and West Ryde.  Services will operate every 10 minutes or better during weekday peak hours, every 15 minutes during off peak times and Saturdays, and every 20 minutes on Sundays.  Early morning and late-night services will operate at least every 30 minutes.
Route 506 Macquarie University to City Domain via East RydeAdditional afternoon peak services on weekdays will be added to this route, to replace existing route X06 services (City Domain to East Ryde).
Route 507 Meadowbank Station to GladesvilleThis route will change to operate between Meadowbank Station and Gladesville only.During weekday morning and afternoon peak hours, services will be extended to and from the city.  Service frequency will be increased seven days a week (operating every 10 mins during weekday peak hours and 30 mins off peak), and later evening services will operate across the week.The new route 517 (Macquarie Centre to Ryde shops) will replace existing 507 trips between Macquarie University and Top Ryde.
Route 513 Carlingford to West RydeThis route will change to operate between Carlingford and West Ryde only. Route 518 will now provide full time connections to F3 ferries at Meadowbank Wharf.
Route 515 
Eastwood to Ryde shops		This route will change to operate between Eastwood and Ryde shops. Service frequency will increase across the week (operating every 15-20 mins during weekday peak hours, 30 mins on weekends) and later evening services will operate across the week. Services between Top Ryde and the city will be provided by the new frequent route 500X (West Ryde to City Hyde Park).
Route 517 
Macquarie Centre to Ryde shops		This is a new route that will replace route 507 between Macquarie University and Top Ryde. The 517 will operate seven days a week.
Route 518 
Macquarie University to Meadowbank		This route will change to operate between Macquarie University and Meadowbank Wharf via Top Ryde.
Route 520 
Parramatta to City Circular Quay
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn. Overnight and early morning services will be replaced by new route 500N (Parramatta to the City).
Route 525 
Parramatta to Strathfield		This route will change to operate between Parramatta and Strathfield only. Earlier and later services will operate throughout the week.
Route 549
 Parramatta to Epping via North Rocks		Additional morning peak services will be added to this route to provide additional travel options for customers.
Route M52 
Parramatta to City Circular Quay
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 500X between West Ryde and Hyde Park, and by route 501 between Parramatta and Pitt Street at Central Station. 
Route X06 
City Domain to East Ryde
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 506.
Route X15
 City Town Hall to Eastwood
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 500X (between the City and Ryde) and route 515 (between Ryde and Eastwood).
Route X18 
City Town Hall to Denistone East
(Withdrawn Route)		This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 500X between the City and Ryde and route 518 between Macquarie University to Meadowbank (currently Macquarie University to City).
Route 977 
Miranda to Lilli Pilli (Loop Service)		There will be additional services. Services will operate around every 15 minutes during weekday peak hours and 30 minutes during off peak times and on Saturdays. Sunday services will operate every 60 minutes.Later evening services will operate seven days. There will be more than 115 additional weekly services
Route 987 
Cronulla to Kurnell (Loop Service)		There will be additional services. Services will operate around every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours and 60 minutes during off peak times and on weekends.Later evening services will operate seven days.There will be around 70 additional weekly services
Routes 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259, 458, 505, 521, 523, 524, 533, 536, 538, 540, 541, 543, 544, 545, 546, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553Minor timetable changes to meet demand and improve reliability
Posted on

Farewell UNSW Express Routes

Today, Monday December 21 2020, was the final day of operation for the UNSW express buses which have spent decades shuttling students from Central Station to UNSW and return. The final trip was a Route 898 service from UNSW High Street to Central, departing at 6:59pm and arriving into Central at 7:16pm to end an era.

The final UNSW express service was a Route 898 service operated by 4997 from UNSW High Street to Central, departing at 6:59pm – Transport NSW Blog Collection

UNSW express bus services began as early as March 1962, with express short workings of Route 393 and 395 operating between UNSW and Central. From March 2 1964, these services were designated as their own seperate routes, gaining the route numbers 693 and 695. By 1967, the routes had been reorganised so that Route 691 serviced the High Street side of UNSW and Route 695 serviced the Anzac Parade side of UNSW, before being renumbered as the 891 and 895 at some point in the 1990s.

Over the years, a number of different other route variants also serviced UNSW. Route 690 (later 890) operated from Circular Quay to UNSW Anzac Parade via Taylor Square all stops, whilst Route 694 (later 894) operated express from UNSW Anzac Parade to Circular Quay in the PM Peak. Route 659 operated limited stops between UNSW and Bondi Junction, whilst Route 892 operated limited stops between UNSW High Street and Circular Quay.

As a result of construction for the CBD and South East Light Rail project, from 25 October 2015, the UNSW routes were reorganised. AM Peak trips from Central to UNSW High Street retained their 891 route number. PM Peak trips were consolidated to only operate from High Street on Route 893 (lower campus) and Route 898 (upper campus). This was the final set up that operated until the last day of service.

It was the light rail that ultimately became the demise for UNSW express buses. From Tuesday 22 December 2020, UNSW students and staff will have to catch the light rail from Central to UNSW, with stops provided on both High Street (on the L2 Randwick Line) and ANZAC Parade (on the L3 Kingsford Line).

2318 rests in Randwick after an 891 service from Central to UNSW – Transport NSW Blog Collection
3708 operates an 893 service from UNSW to Central along Anzac Parade – Transport NSW Blog Collection
3754 departs UNSW on a 898 service to Central – Transport NSW Blog Collection
Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore Service Changes from December 2020”

Posted on

Changes to Transport Services from 25 October

There will be changes to transport services across NSW from 25 October, with additional bus services as well as changes to ferry and train timetables. 

There will be changes to transport services from October 25 2020 – Transport NSW Blog Collection

There are numerous changes that will be introduced from October 25 2020

  • Transit Systems Inner West Bus Changes
  • Additional Bus Services for Coffs Harbour and Lismore
  • Other Bus Changes (Hillsbus, Punchbowl and Premier Illawarra)
  • Minor Train Timetable Adjustments 
  • Ferry Service Pattern Changes

Continue reading “Changes to Transport Services from 25 October”