Bus services will be expanded in NSW following the release of the 2014-15 State Budget
New South Wale’s bus system will be given a boost under the 2014-15 State Budget released today.
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian says $91 million will be invested into the state’s bus network and deliver 199 new buses for customers across Sydney, Western Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra.
“The new buses mean extra services and new routes for customers, including four new bus routes to cater for residents in Western Sydney.”
She says the $91 million investment in new buses includes $42 million for growth buses, delivering extra services where and when customers need them.
“This year 91 new growth buses will be rolled out, delivering new routes in Western Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra, as well as boosting the frequency of services on 30 bus routes in Sydney, Western Sydney and the Hunter,” she says.
“The budget also includes replacement of 108 ageing buses with new air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible buses, fitted with the latest safety technology.”
The State will also invest $633 million in the Northern Beaches over the next five years towards key public transport and road improvements.
The investment includes $400 million in major road improvements for the Northern Beaches to reduce congestion and improve travel times around the new Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest and the surrounding precinct.
The NSW Government will also invest $125 million to get on with the job of delivering kerbside Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), resulting in faster, more reliable ‘turn up and go” bus services for customers travelling from the Northern Beaches to the CBD.
More than $100 million will also be invested in new transport interchanges and extra parking for commuters using buses.
Berejiklian says a further $67 million will fund new bus customer car parking at Mona Vale, Narrabeen/North Narrabeen, Warriewood and Brookvale.
These facilities will provide parking for up to 800 more motorists to connect with the BRT route.
Complementing the investment in Northern Beaches BRT infrastructure will be a further $11 million allocated to provide more frequent bus services for the area, with buses starting earlier and finishing later during the week and on weekends.
Funding in the 2014-15 Budget for projects in Western Sydney including $400 million for work to accelerate a Western Sydney light rail system (subject to feasibility) $863 million for the 36-kilometre North West Rail Link, and $103 million to complete the South West Rail Link from Glenfield to Leppington.
There is also $398 million for WestConnex and $109 million for road upgrades to support Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek.