Badgerys Creek Airport: Driverless buses to second airport in as little as 20 minutes

DRIVERLESS buses are set to shuttle commuters in Sydney’s southwest to the Badgerys Creek Airport in as quick as 20 minutes.

DRIVERLESS buses are set to shuttle Sydney southwest commuters to the new Badgerys Creek Airport in as little as 20 minutes.

The Rapid Transit Corridor which will be built in Liverpool uses driverless technology to connect to the airport along a 19-kilometre purpose-built road.

It comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and eight mayors signed the Western Sydney deal, which committed to a rapid bus connection for Sydney’s second airport.

Driverless buses will use the Rapid Transit Corridor, which connects it to the new airport. Picture: Supplied

Liverpool City Council has received a grant to widen Fifteenth Ave, to build the RTC. Picture: Supplied

Liverpool City Council has been given a $1.55 million grant from the Department of Planning and Environment to widen and extend Fifteenth Ave, near West Hoxton, to the Badgerys Creek airport site.

A trip from Liverpool to the airport using the Rapid Transport Corridor is expected to take around 20 minutes, with priority signalling and smart transit stops.

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller says they are trying to find a solution to the problem of the “last or first mile” — the short distance in a traveller’s journey that is often the least efficient.

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller signing the Western City Deal. Picture: Supplied

A trip from Liverpool to Badgerys Creek Airport will take around 20 minutes. Picture: Supplied

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“This could be Australia’s first stretch of driverless road and that is fitting for the cutting-edge modern international hub we know the airport will be,” she said.

“It will be fast, reliable and efficient.

“We believe there is a great opportunity to build a significant piece of infrastructure, in partnership with the private sector that will bring to life the aspiration of the 30-minute city in Sydney’s southwest.”

The buses will transport thousands of workers in and around the airport precinct as well as the business park.

Driverless buses have been trialled around the world including in Sydney. It is hoped the Rapid Transit Corridor will be up and running within five years.