The Northern Territory government has unveiled a major overhaul of the public bus network in Darwin and Palmerston, aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour and improving passenger and driver safety.
Infrastructure and logistics minister Bill Yan announced a Bus Safety Reform Strategy will roll out in multiple stages that will see sweeping changes to the Northern Territory’s public transport system.
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“We want every Territorian to feel safe when they catch a bus,” Yan says.
“These reforms are about building a public transport system people can trust and use with confidence.”
A key part of the plan is the closure of the Casuarina interchange by October 2025, with staged closures of the Darwin and Palmerston interchanges to follow. The government says the closures will reduce crime and allow for a more flexible network design.
Safety measures will also be upgraded, including expanded CCTV at hotspots, direct radio links between drivers and police, and on-board duress alarms.
From August 1 2025, a new NT Bus Tracker App will launch, providing real-time tracking, journey planning, and alerts factoring in walking and cycling times.
The government also confirmed that free bus travel will continue beyond 1 July 2025.
“Since the introduction of free travel, the Transit Safety Unit and bus drivers have reported a decrease in anti-social behaviour on bus services,” Yan says.
“New statistics confirm that our efforts to improve bus safety are delivering results, with reported assaults on bus drivers down by 7 per cent.”
A full review of the Darwin and Palmerston bus network is underway, focusing on reducing wait times, improving routes, and trialling on-demand services to replace some low-patronage late-night routes.
“These are real changes that will make a real difference,” Yan says.
“By shutting down outdated interchanges, boosting surveillance, and improving real-time communications, we’re creating a network that’s safer and more reliable for everyone.”
The reforms are part of the government’s “year of action,” aimed at reducing crime and improving quality of life for Territorians.
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