Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has told ABC it has changed the schedule of the state’s popular B-Line bus services and added additional buses to address fleet wear and tear concerns.
In October, independent member for Wakehurst Michael Regan sent a letter to NSW transport minister Jo Haylen outlining his worries about the service reliability of the B-Line bus fleet due to ongoing wear and tear.
Run by Keolis Downer as the only form of public transport on the Northern Beaches, Regan says he often hears issues about the service’s reliability.
“I have a positive working relationship with Keolis Downer, the private operator for Region 8 and communicate with them regularly. They have raised serious concerns with me about the longevity of the B-Line fleet given the very high mileage per annum,” Regan says.
“They anticipate the reliability of the service will become increasingly problematic as the fleet ages.
“I am informed by Keolis Downer that they are starting to see engine issues already, due the very high usage of the buses.”
In response, ABC reached out to TfNSW, who says they have regularly added more services to the B-Line schedule and introduced four additional buses to the fleet.
“The most recent additional bus started operating B-Line services in October 2024, providing 30 extra trips per week,” a TfNSW spokesperson told ABC.
“On January 19, 2025, the B-Line timetable is again being improved, with 82 additional trips each week increasing frequency and capacity.”
TfNSW says it acknowledges the high utilisation of the B-Line fleet servicing the northern part of Sydney, introducing the extra four buses to the original fleet.
“Regular inspections and preventative maintenance are conducted to identify and address potential issues before they arise,” the spokesperson says.
“A comprehensive fleet replacement plan is in place to ensure the ongoing reliability and efficiency of the bus network. This plan takes into account factors such as vehicle lifecycle, technological advancements, and changing passenger demands.”
Regan says Keolis Downer have reported that the majority of the buses have clocked in excess of 650,000km, operating on average 100,000km per annum, when they were only designed to operate 60,000 to 80,000km per annum.
Engine issues due to high kilometres relate to fuel injector systems and turbo units, with Keolis Downer already having to do these types of engine repairs.
“They are of the view these buses will not reach their 25 year planned life span and instead think their asset life is closer to 12-14 years,” Regan says.
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“The B-Line fleet was procured in 2017, so this takes us to around 2030.
“Although it’s feasible to potentially replace all these vehicles at the same time in the future, the issue is, as they age, they will start exhibiting age related reliability, all at the same time, likely leading to chronic reliability issues.
“Unlike other routes, there is no alternative double decker B-Line to substitute with. Replacing buses in a staggered approach will avoid this risk.”
Regan says Keolis Downer’s concerns are consistent with findings from the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce’s second report that highlighted the systemic inadequacy of forward planning and forecasting in relation to bus fleet asset management.
“As far as I am aware, there is not currently an option for an electric double decker bus to purchase to start replacing the B-Line fleet,” he says.
“I am a champion of electric buses and very much support the NSW government’s ambitious policy to roll out electric buses at scale. However, I am concerned if restrictive policy settings may have unintended consequences of hindering the ability to meet operational needs, deteriorating reliability, therefore pushing commuters off public transport, back into private vehicles – an outcome nobody wants.
“The policy should preference electric, wherever possible, but not prohibit purchase of non-electric buses.”
When it comes to the double decker B-Line fleet, Regan is calling for the NSW government to invest in new Euro 6 emissions standard diesel double deckers, with Keolis Downer saying these could be sourced well within 12 months.
“In the event that two-tolling is reintroduced on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which I am strongly opposed to, this money should be used to invest in buses to increase public transport options for northern Sydney. This could include new double decker B-Line buses as needed,” Regan says.
“It is woeful that while buses carry well over 40 per cent of all public transport passengers, they are budgeted to receive only 2.6 per cent of Transport’s capital expenditure in the years from 2019-2027. This compares to 49.9 per cent for rail/metro over the corresponding period.
“We must urgently invest more in buses, including our iconic B-Line.”