Hundreds more bus services are being added to the timetable in Western Sydney, with more frequent buses starting earlier and finishing later.
An additional 244 trips will be added to the timetable from today, Sunday 29 June.
The extra services connect areas including Penrith, Blacktown, St Marys and Mount Druitt.
The bus boost adds nearly 260 extra hours a week of bus services and is part of the first stage of growth services as part of a $23.8 million Minns Labor Government investment.
Four key bus routes will receive additional services:
- Route 731 Rouse Hill to Blacktown via Stanhope Gardens - 42 extra trips per week
- Route 770 Penrith to Mt Druitt via Claremont Gardens and St Marys - 70 extra trips per week
- Route 780 Penrith to Mount Druitt via Cambridge Park and Tregear - 45 extra trips per week
- Route 794 Penrith to Glenmore Park - 87 extra trips per week
These additional services will improve service frequency and extend hours of operation, resulting in these four routes operating a daytime frequency of every 30 minutes seven days a week.
Under the former Liberal government, bus services in Western Sydney were ignored in favour of adding new toll roads to their privatised toll network.
All services on route 794 will commence from and finish at Glenmore Park shopping centre, improving access to local facilities for the surrounding community. Currently, only daytime services operate to and from the shopping centre.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"The community has been crying out for more bus services and we are adding nearly 250 trips each week to the timetable in Western Sydney.
"Shift workers rely on commuting outside of standard business hours and these changes provide more services to get them to, and from, home after hours and Sundays.
Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said:
"Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW, and the Minns Labor Government is delivering for the community.
"Our Deputy Premier Prue Car has been a tireless advocate for improved bus services across Western Sydney, and today's announcement shows how our government is delivering for the region.
"Whether you're a nurse in St Marys, a parent in Rouse Hill or a hospitality worker in Penrith, this boost to services will make everyday life easier.
"These extra services mean less time waiting and more time where it matters."
Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said:
"The Blacktown community have told us that a lack of public transport forces them to use their cars for work, education, sport and other social activities.
"The route 731 will now start earlier on Sundays and run every 30 minutes, as opposed to hourly, giving residents better travel options on the weekends."
Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla said:
"These are critical routes connecting Mount Druitt with Penrith, which will now start no later than 6am every day of the week.
"Residents will have more frequent weekend services to get them to work, the shopping centre, or the station."
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:
"Penrith is a hub for retail, hospitality and medical services across Western Sydney - that's why these new changes are so important.
"Extra bus services will provide a significant boost to Penrith's economy and general liveability by ensuring reliable and frequent connections to, from and around the region."
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:
"Our growing region needs better, more frequent and reliable bus services to help residents off the roads and onto our transport network.
"The route 731 is a key service connecting Riverstone residents with Rouse Hill and Blacktown station so I welcome the addition of these extra bus services."
