Local bus routes in Sydney
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|
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Transport for NSW |
| Locale | Sydney, Australia |
| Transit type | Bus |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1905 |
| Operator(s) | |
Local bus routes in Sydney, Australia, are set by Transport for New South Wales. The network initially evolved from a privately operated system of feeder services to railway stations in the outer suburbs, and a government-operated network of bus services introduced to replace trams in the inner suburbs. Following its establishment in its current form in 1930, the bus network has undergone major reform in recent years, with the government taking responsibility for route and fare-setting, opening contracts for most routes up to competitive tendering, and introducing more cross-regional services.
The current regions, known as Sydney Metropolitan Bus System Contract Regions, were established in 2006 and 2007, with incumbents encouraged to form joint ventures as necessary to continue delivering services. All but the four State Transit regions went to competitive tender in 2013 and 2014, with region 11 subsumed into region 10.
The current regions are:
Local routes in region 1 serve major centres including Parramatta, Penrith, Norwest Business Park, Westmead health precinct and Blacktown. The region also includes smaller and emerging centres such as Mount Druitt, Rouse Hill, Seven Hills, Richmond, Windsor and St Marys. Routes are generally numbered in the 600 and 700 series. Most services connect suburbs with T1 Western Line railway stations.
Travel – both by car and public transport – within region 1 is highly self-contained. As of 2006, 79% of journeys started and finished within the region. With low urban density and diffuse travel patterns, public transport mode share is below the Sydney average.
Region 1 was formed in October 2006. At the time, local bus services were provided by three private operators, Busways, Westbus and Hawkesbury Valley Bus and Coach Service. The three operators formed the Area 1 Management Company to service the region. In late 2012, following a competitive tender process, the region’s bus contract was awarded to Busways alone. At present, Busways operates 66 local routes in the region, from depots at Penrith, Mulgrave and Glendenning.
Contract region 2, in south-western Sydney, extends to Liverpool, Kentlyn, Cobbitty and Badgerys Creek. Routes in this region are numbered in the 800 series. Major destinations served by region 2 routes include Liverpool, Campbelltown, Leppington, Ingleburn and Casula Mall.
Region 2 was established in October 2006 and the then local operators, Busabout and Interline, formed a joint venture called the Area 2 Management Company to provide bus services.
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