Western Sydney passengers now have access to five new permanent bus routes, with services launched this week to improve links to train stations, shops, hospitals, jobs and the new Western Sydney International Airport.
The new routes connect communities including Narellan, Oran Park and Mt Druitt, with services operating from Liverpool, Campbelltown, Penrith and Mount Druitt.
The routes include services from Liverpool on routes 825 and 860, Campbelltown on Route 845 and the enhanced Route 840, Penrith on Route 790 and Mount Druitt on Route 772.
The services will run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week, delivering 2,626 services across the week.
The NSW government says the new services lift the total number of bus services added since it came to office to 5,910.
The $302.7 million investment is part of the government’s wider bus service expansion following the 2024 Bus Industry Taskforce, which found the state’s bus network had been neglected and underfunded.
Deputy Premier and minister for Western Sydney Prue Car says the new routes respond to the region’s growth.
“As Western Sydney grows, the public transport network needs to grow with it, and this is exactly what the Minns government is delivering,” Car says.
“Whether it’s public transport, schools, roads, or hospitals, the Minns government is working to ensure Western Sydney has the essential services that our communities deserve.”
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news and classifieds from Australasia’s bus and coach industry.
- Don’t miss a second and subscribe to our monthly ABC magazine.
Transport minister John Graham says the routes will connect residents to the new airport before passenger services begin.
“These services will connect hundreds of thousands of Western Sydney residents with the new airport, months before it opens for passenger services,” Graham says.
“Some of these communities have never had decent public transport. These services will change people’s lives by giving them regular connection to train stations, jobs, health services, and the new Western Sydney International Airport.”
The service launch is being supported by new bus infrastructure across Western Sydney. The NSW government says this includes upgraded driver facilities at major interchanges, including Mt Druitt, Blacktown, Bankstown, Parramatta and Fairfield, as well as new signs at bus stops.
The government is also working with selected Western Sydney councils to deliver more than 30 new bus shelters along the new routes through a $1.5 million trial Bus Shelter Program.
The latest routes follow other bus network changes, including the restored M52 service from Parramatta to the CBD via Ryde and the 301 service from Rosebery to Eastgardens.
The government says it has reduced the bus driver shortage from more than 500 to under 200 and ordered 923 new buses, including 50 articulated buses and 10 double-decker buses.
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown says Route 790 will give Penrith residents a direct connection to the airport precinct.
“The new 790 bus service will be a game-changer for Penrith, giving residents a direct and convenient connection to the WSI Airport precinct,” McKeown says.
“It will also improve access to local jobs, training, healthcare and education facilities, helping residents get where they need to go more easily and supporting a better-connected future for Penrith.”
Read more:
- ABC launches first episode of Bus News podcast with Michael Baulch
- DTP defends bus data processes in response to Auditor-General report
- Queensland unveils ‘Metro-style’ bus plan for GC
- Dysons set to be acquired by Australasian PT business
- Regional NSW gains 275 extra weekly bus services
