New Metrobus Routes for Western Sydney, starting in three weeks

by StreetCorner
20/07/2010

The Metrobus network is being expanded with a particular focus on servicing Western Sydney, with the number of routes increasing from five to thirteen. The first services start in just under three weeks, with the remainder coming on-line over the next 12 months.

The expanded network will reach:

• Parramatta, Bankstown and Liverpool in the west; • Hornsby in the north; • Castle Hill and Baulkham Hills in the north west; and • Hurstville and Sutherland Shire in the South.

There are currently four Metrobus routes on the road:

• M10 – between Leichhardt and Maroubra Junction • M20 – between Gore Hill and Mascot • M30 – between Mosman and Sydenham • M40 – between Chatswood and Bondi Junction

The fifth of the already announced Metro Bus routes, M50, is due to start in October:

• M50 – between Drummoyne and Randwick via Sydney CBD

The new Metrobus network, announced today, will include:

• M41 – between Hurstville and Macquarie via Burwood • M52 – between Parramatta and Sydney CBD via West Ryde • M54 – between Parramatta and Macquarie via Epping • M60 – between Parramatta and Hornsby via Baulkham Hills • M61 – between Castle Hill and Sydney CBD via Baulkham Hills • M90 – between Liverpool and Burwood via Bankstown • M91 – between Hurstville and Parramatta via Bankstown • M92 – between Sutherland and Parramatta via Bankstown

Metrobuses run seven days a week, with a 10 minute frequency during peak periods, every 15 minutes during the weekday off-peak, and 20 minutes in the evening and on weekends.

Premier Kristina Keneally said the expanded Metrobus network will provide high frequency, high capacity links between key employment and growth centres across Sydney.

“Metrobus will be supported by bus priority measures including bus lanes and the Public Transport Information Priority System: that turns traffic lights green if a bus is running late. These environmentally-friendly buses not only emit less greenhouse gases into the air, but for every passenger that travels on them, that’s one less car on the road,” said Premier Keneally.

Minister for Transport, John Robertson, said Metrobus 40 started service over the weekend, and the first of the new Metrobus routes will start in less than three weeks.

“The first new route will be Metrobus 52, which starts on 8 August between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD along Victoria Road, providing 40,000 extra passenger spaces a week,” said Robertson.

Metrobus 52 will benefit from:

• The conversion of transit lanes to bus-only lanes between Gladesville and Ryde; and • The introduction of bus-only lanes through Ermington; and • The Inner West Busway between Drummoyne and Rozelle.

“This will provide a big increase in bus capacity for families in Drummoyne and surrounding suburbs who head to work in the city and Parramatta each day,” Mr Robertson said.

Member for Parramatta, Tanya Gadiel, said the new transport services will also be welcomed by families who live in and around her electorate.

“This will provide more fast, frequent and comfortable rides for commuters, and I absolutely welcome that,” Ms Gadiel said.

Minister for Western Sydney, David Borger, said the expanded Metrobus network will provide important links between major residential and employment centres.

“The expanded network will provide new transport links and better links from Sutherland to Parramatta via Bankstown, Parramatta to Hornsby via the Hills District,” Mr Borger said.

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