Bus services overhaul in Sydney’s north

A major overhaul of bus services in Sydney’s north will negatively impact commuters as of January 2021.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced a new express bus service along Victoria Road from West Ryde to the city and an extra 700 weekly services in Region 7 in a move to push more frequent services with limited stops.

However, this method of streamlining the network also offers the uglier side of the coin, with proposed cuts to existing services in Parramatta, Carlingford, Macquarie Park, Ryde and Eastwood. Additionally, low-frequency routes 518 and 520 will become feeder services to Top Ryde, meaning customers will have to take the 500X into the CBD. The 518 will also redirect to Meadowbank Wharf.

RTBU’s Bus Division president Daniel Jaggers voiced his concerns that those not living near to the main roads, such as Victoria Road, would miss out.

“The people that are not on that main road, they’re the ones who suffer,” Mr. Jaggers said.

“Unless you live on Victoria Road, you might find your services are going to be a lot more difficult to get to.

“We believe that it can encourage people to get back in the car.”

Read the full article on The Daily Telegraph here. Please note, this article is behind a paywall.

FULL LIST OF CHANGES BY ROUTE via Transport for NSW

Route 501 Parramatta to Central Pitt St (currently West Ryde to Central Pitt St)

This route will change to operate to Parramatta (currently runs to West Ryde) and will replace route M52 services between Parramatta and West Ryde. Services will operate every 10 minutes or better during weekday peak hours, every 15 minutes during off peak times and Saturdays, and every 20 minutes on Sundays. Early morning and late-night services will operate at least every 30 minutes.

Route 506 Macquarie University to City Domain via East Ryde

Additional afternoon peak services on weekdays will be added to this route, to replace existing route X06 services (City Domain to East Ryde).

Route 507 Meadowbank Station to Gladesville (currently Macquarie University to City)

This route will change to operate between Meadowbank Station and Gladesville only.

During weekday morning and afternoon peak hours, services will be extended to and from the city. Service frequency will be increased seven days a week (operating every 10 mins during weekday peak hours and 30 mins off peak), and later evening services will operate across the week. The new route 517 (Macquarie Centre to Ryde shops) will replace existing 507 trips between Macquarie University and Top Ryde.

Route 513 Carlingford to West Ryde (currently Carlingford to Meadowbank Wharf)

This route will change to operate between Carlingford and West Ryde only. Route 518 will now provide full time connections to F3 ferries at Meadowbank Wharf.

Route 515 Eastwood to Ryde shops (currently Eastwood to City)

This route will change to operate between Eastwood and Ryde shops. Service frequency will increase across the week (operating every 15-20 mins during weekday peak hours, 30 mins on weekends) and later evening services will operate across the week. Services between Top Ryde and the city will be provided by the new frequent route 500X (West Ryde to City Hyde Park).

Route 517 Macquarie Centre to Ryde shops

This is a new route that will replace route 507 between Macquarie University and Top Ryde. The 517 will operate seven days a week.

Route 518 Macquarie University to Meadowbank (currently Macquarie University to City)

This route will change to operate between Macquarie University and Meadowbank Wharf via Top Ryde.

Route 520 Parramatta to City Circular Quay

This route will be withdrawn. Overnight and early morning services will be replaced by new route 500N (Parramatta to City Hyde Park).

Route 525 Parramatta to Strathfield (currently Macquarie University to Burwood)

This route will change to operate between Parramatta and Strathfield only. Earlier and later services will operate throughout the week.

Route 549 Parramatta to Epping via North Rocks

Additional morning peak services will be added to this route to provide additional travel options for customers.

Route M52 Parramatta to City Circular Quay

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 500X between West Ryde and the city, and by route 501 (Parramatta to Central Pitt St) between Parramatta and West Ryde.

Route X06 City Domain to East Ryde

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 506.

Route X15 City Town Hall to Eastwood

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 500X (between the City and Ryde) and route 515 (between Ryde and Eastwood).

Route X18 City Town Hall to Denistone East

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 500X between the City and Ryde and route 518 between Macquarie University to Meadowbank (currently Macquarie University to City)

Route 120 Chatswood to City QVB

This is a new frequent route that will operate between Chatswood and the QVB in the city. The new route replaces routes 272 (North Willoughby to City Wynyard) and 340 (Bondi Junction to Chatswood via City)

Route 500X West Ryde to City Hyde Park

This is a new frequent route that will operate between West Ryde and Hyde Park in the city. The new route replaces routes:

M52 (Parramatta to City Circular Quay)

515 (currently Eastwood to City)*

518 (currently Macquarie University to City)**

520 (Parramatta to City Circular Quay)

X15 (City Town Hall to Eastwood)

X18 (City Town Hall to Denistone)

* Route 515 will change to operate between Eastwood and Ryde shops

** Route 518 will change to operate between Macquarie University and Meadowbank

Route 115 Chatswood to City via North Sydney

This is a new route that will replace route 343 between Chatswood and the city. Early morning and late night services will operate between Chatswood and North Sydney only.

Route 200 Artarmon to Bondi Junction (currently Chatswood to Bondi Junction)

This route will be changed to operate between Artarmon (Campbell Street) and Bondi Junction only. There will be no change to current service frequency or hours of operation.

Route 272 North Willoughby to City Wynyard

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 120 (Chatswood to City QVB).

Route 340 Bondi Junction to Chatswood via City

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the new frequent route 120 (Chatswood to City QVB).

Customers using route 340 between Bondi Junction and the City can use alternative services such as routes 333 and 440.

Route 343 Kingsford to Chatswood via City

This route will change to operate between City and Kingsford only. Services between Chatswood, North Sydney and the city will be replaced by the new route 115 (Chatswood to City via North Sydney).

Route 343 will continue to operate between Kingsford and the City, with no changes to service frequency or hours of operation.

Route 500N Parramatta to City Hyde Park

This is a new route that will replace the overnight services on route 520 (Parramatta to City Circular Quay). The 500N will operate between around 12am to 5am, seven days a week.

Minor timetable changes for these routes: 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259, 505, 521, 523, 524, 533, 536, 538, 540, 541, 543, 544, 545, 546, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553.