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Rapid transit for Sydneys west

Sydney’s booming north-west scores more than 400 extra bus services as demand surges

People who rely on bus services Sydney’s west will soon have more regular weekday services in the morning and afternoon peak.

Huge residential growth in Sydney’s outer-west, largely due to the increasing cost of inner suburb housing, has prompted the New South Wales (NSW) Government to respond by adjusting service levels.

A total of 428 extra services will be added, mostly to the Rouse Hill to city route (158), while Macquarie Park, Blacktown and Seven Hills will also have more peak hour services, the NSW Government announced recently.

“We’ve seen incredible customer growth and we’re committed to boosting transport links and increasing services in areas where they’re needed most,” NSW minister for transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance says.

He hinted that bus service levels may be adjusted again after the North West Metro rail project is complete in 2019.

“These additional services in the Hills District are crucial as an interim measure while the government gets on with building the world-class North West Metro, which when completed will provide another option for commuters,” Constance says.

“The additional services aim to increase capacity for customers travelling between Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, and Macquarie Centre and improve connections to the Norwest Business Park and Norwest Private Hospital.

“With more customers also needing to access the CBD, Macquarie Park and Parramatta, the improvements will also improve links to major hubs.”

NSW Government MP for Seven Hills Mark Taylor says the existing weekday bus services were at full capacity.

“These additional services will be welcomed by the thousands of Seven Hills customers who are travelling by bus each day.”

Demand for bus services in Sydney’s west has been huge over the last few years, with 315 weekly morning and afternoon peak services also introduced in June last year.

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