Signs 40 years out of date leave Sydney commuters waiting on phantom buses

COMMUTERS could be waiting a long time for a bus in this suburb with old signs listing bus routes which have been out of service for up to 40 years.

Signs

COMMUTERS could be waiting a long time for a bus from Strathfield Square with old signage directing them to bus routes which have been out of service for up to 40 years.

The confusing bus signage outside the train station includes three defunct routes: 27, 34 and 414; and two bus routes, 484 and 485, which have been relocated to Armidale in northern NSW.

The only current 486 route the Inner West Courier could find is currently running between the Spence terminus and Kingsford Smith School in Canberra.

The State Government spent close to $50 million last year rolling out new transport signage replacing existing pictogram signs at bus, train and ferry stops with large Bs, Ts and Fs, but the rollout clearly hasn't reached Strathfield.

The Courier watched a number of commuters struggling to make sense of the sign.

It’s understood the 27 route ceased operation in 1978 when its operator McVickers became defunct, making the sign at least 38 years out of date, while the 34 route ceased operating when Southwestern Coachlines shut down in 1990.

Bus signs in Strathfield show routes 27 and 34 which have long been defunct. Picture: Craig Wilson

The 484 now runs between Armidale and North Hill while the 485 operates between Armidale and the University of New England.

Both were moved to the area in the late 90s.

The 414 no longer exists and became defunct around 2008.

Strathfield State Labor MP Jodi McKay said a lot of money had been thrown at upgrading signage across Sydney, but one of the busiest stations on the Inner West line had been overlooked.

“Some of this is more than 30 years out of date, and yet no one in government has noticed. The government says it has a focus on customer service, well it’s time to focus on the customer of today, not 30 years ago.”

“When this sign was last relevant Whitney Houston had a hit with ’How Will I Know?’. Commuters in Strathfield might still be asking themselves the same thing.”

Bus signs in Strathfield Square are hopelessly out of date, confusing commuters. Picture: Craig Wilson

A spokeswoman said Transport for NSW was in the process of updating signage. “We are aware of out-of-date signage at the Strathfield bus interchange and staff are working with bus operators and other stakeholders to improve information for customers.”

.Transport for NSW apologises for any inconvenience caused and customers unsure about transport services can seek clarification from transport staff, by visiting transportnsw.info, downloading a real time app to their smart phones or by calling 131 500.

Originally published as Signs 40 years out of date leave Sydney commuters waiting on phantom buses