HILLS INDEPENDENT HILLS 116 February 2025 | Page 15

LIFE & STYLE

Better bus services – connecting our

community after 12 years of neglect

with Warren Kirby MP
The North West region of Sydney has among the highest number of families in New South Wales . Often both parents need to commute to work using Metro Stations such as Tallawong , Rouse Hill and Kellyville . The Metro ( opened in 2019 ) was a valuable addition to the North West ’ s public transport network .
The previous government inexplicably terminated the Metro at Tallawong , failing to terminate the Metro at an interchange with Schofields Station a mere three kilometres away . This oversight placed unnecessary strain on the public bus system . Bus services taking commuters to Metro stations had not been adjusted to be ‘ fit for purpose ’ when serving the needs of commuters in the North West wanting to use the Metro to travel to work .
Soon after taking office the Minns Labor Government established the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce . I encouraged as many people as were able to send a submission to the Taskforce . The culmination of 12 months of investigations , engagement and consultation resulted in the final report being released in May of last year . As result of the findings from the Taskforce
report , many bus services in the North West of Sydney were adjusted and received a significant boost .
Buses move more people than any other form of public transport and at the lowest cost to commuters . The previous Government neglected and underfund bus services , not just here in the North West but across New South Wales . Poor leadership and coordination within Transport for NSW during the tenure of the previous government caused service degradation , while low driver pay , and inadequate safety systems were ignored .
From Monday 20 th of January commuters of the North West will enjoy more buses more often . In the biggest shake-up the public bus system has seen for years , capacity will be increased , as will bus service frequency for high demand routes to Sydney trains and Metro stations . There will be extra services and extended hours of services on several routes . Access to bus services will be expanded to two communities getting their first local bus route , the 748 – Melonba and Jerralong Drive , Schofields , connecting thousands of residents directly to train and Metro services .
Bus routes linking the North West to Rouse Hill Metro station will welcome
new services including the 643 , 740 , 742 , 746,747 and the 748 . In Riverstone and Tallawong the 742 bus will run more frequently across the week , running every 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks , doubling the number of services on the route . Similarly , 747 passengers will see additional services ; commuters will enjoy buses running every 15 minutes in the morning and evening peaks .
These timetable changes follow a multimillion dollar investment
announced in the 2024-25 budget , providing bus services that the residents of North West Sydney deserve . We know there is more to do . Routes and the frequency of services will continue to be monitored and improved to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population . This Government understands that an efficient public transport system is essential for families , workers , and students , and we will keep delivering on our promise to build a better future for North West Sydney .

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