Busways is celebrating a major NSW contract win as it retains a crucial state bus network
Experienced Australian bus operator Busways has been selected to deliver bus services for the NSW Central Coast community for a further eight years following a competitive open tender process.
Busways has been awarded the Outer Metropolitan Bus Services Contract 6 (OMBSC6) by the NSW government commencing July 2024, having demonstrated its capabilities delivering high-quality bus services for more than 53.7 million passenger journeys a year across Australia.
Busways is expert in operating route, school, on-demand hub-to-point services, emergency buses and special services through its contracts in NSW and SA with more than 1,300 buses and a 2,800 strong workforce.
Managing Director Byron Rowe welcomed the news as recognition of Busways’ proven performance, with capabilities to implement the NSW government’s Future Transport vision and continue to improve customer outcomes and bus service quality throughout the region.
“Busways has operated bus services in NSW for 80 years, and on the Central Coast since 1990, and has been highly adaptable to the changing needs of the region, seeing 44 per cent population growth in that time,” Rowe says.
“It’s great to see the NSW government backing home grown business – we are thrilled to continue our productive partnership with Transport for NSW and our committed focus on providing an exceptional customer experience for Central Coast customers, and secure jobs for our experience local team.”
The Central Coast Outer Metropolitan Bus Contract 6 includes 43 bus routes, 401 dedicated school services, 7.26 million trip kilometres per year, 4.5 million annual customers, more than 160 buses and 260 employees through two depots.
Busways Chief Operating Officer Chris Wolf says the company has proven advanced scheduling and operational capabilities can efficiently deliver growth services while maintaining high levels of reliability, customer experience, safety and service innovation on the Central Coast.
“We have maintained consistently high standards in service delivery and our customers tell us we are getting it right, with 95 per cent customer satisfaction in TfNSW’s May 2022 Customer Satisfaction Index,” Wolf says.
“Our focus on safety and maintenance was recognised by our Central Coast fleet achieving an average 97 per cent pass rate over the past five years of HVIS Inspections safety audits. We have also invested in sustainable depot infrastructure, now powering our Gosford bus depot completely on solar power.”
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For the next eight years, Rowe says Busways will continue to focus on delivering quality bus passenger services to the growing and evolving Central Coast region. The Central Coast population is forecast to grow 23 per cent by 2036 to more than 415,000 residents.
“With the certainty provided by this new contract, we look forward to partnering with TfNSW in planning and designing improvements to bus services for the Central Coast community as it grows,” Rowe says.
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| Byron Rowe |
“Across the past seven years, Busways donated more than $150,000 in-kind bus shuttle services to support Central Coast community events and groups who help the disadvantaged.
“Just two weeks ago, we supported the 5 Lands Walk for the seventh year with shuttle bus services to enable people of all abilities to take part in this celebration of people, place and Aboriginal culture. We also provide bus safety travel training for primary school students and people with disabilities and support many other community initiatives such as Camp Toukley, which provides fun and respite for foster children.”