Bus backflip: NSW Government return bus services across The Hills
Vital bus services across northwest Sydney have been returned after three months of protest. See the routes that were revived in the government backflip and the ones left on the cutting room floor.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- $1m worth of cannabis found in raid
- Music school rejected for residential street
- Jean Nassif, councillors trade blows over 61 tower plan
Desperate commuters across The Hills campaigning to see axed bus services reinstated after they were cut with the opening of the Sydney Metro northwest have won the battle, but not the war, for all services to be revived.
A series of petitions, which gained the support of close to 15,000 residents, and a strong campaign by NewsLocal were launched after the NSW Government announced it would cut bus services across The Hills from July 28 this year.
However, Transport for NSW announced a major backflip, with hundreds of buses on affected routes including 620X, 626, 632, 633, 635, 642X and 651 would return from November 17 after community feedback and Opal card travel data.
The 621 Castle Hill to Wynyard service, which was the catalyst for a petition that gained more than 4000 signatures, was not returned.
Epping state Liberal MP Dominic Perrottet said Transport for NSW listened to the community concerns.
“These changes are aimed at creating an integrated public transport network to help people move easily around Epping with more than 600 additional weekly services now running to-and-from Metro stations,” he said.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me regarding this matter and I want to reassure people I will continue fighting for the restoration of the 621 service.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Jana Pittman leaps into Blacktown Hospital career
Teen charged after Colyton takeaway shop assault
Man found with stab wounds at Shalvey bus stop
While Seven Hills state Liberal MP Mark Taylor thanked residents that campaigned alongside him to see the return of the 606 bus from Winston Hills to Parramatta.
Hornsby Greens councillor Emma Heyde held community rallies to call on the State Government to return bus services.
Cr Heyde said she was happy with the result, however, concerned that crucial routes would not return after the government backflip.
“It is three months of angst and inconvenience for residents that should never have happened,” Cr Heyde said. “The government had Opal data that showed these routes were still at 80 per cent capacity.
“Residents are in uproar that the 621 route that was the major concern hasn’t been returned – not to mention the fact that it has taken three months for their outrage to be heard.”
IN RELATED NEWS
CHANGES TO THE NETWORK
Route 606 – Winston Hills to Parramatta will see 150 weekly services added and revert to stopping out the front of Winston Hills Mall.
Route 620X – Dural to City via Cherrybrook via M2
25 additional weekly services on route 620X, with earlier services during the afternoon
peak and services operating later into the evening. The last service will now depart the
City around 9pm.
Route 626 – Kellyville Station to Pennant Hills via Cherrybrook
Over 80 additional weekly services with extra morning and afternoon peak services
between Cherrybrook Village shops and Cherrybrook Metro Station. The route will also
provide quicker access to Cherrybrook Station, operating direct via County Drive
instead of via David Road.
Route 632 – Rouse Hill Station to Pennant Hills via Norwest and Castle Hill
Over 70 additional weekly services with extra off-peak and later evening services from
Rouse Hill Station to Pennant Hills via Norwest, Castle Hill and Cherrybrook.
Route 633 – Rouse Hill Station to Pennant Hills via Kellyville and Castle Hill
Over 60 additional weekly services making it easier for customers to travel to-and-
from the Hills Showground, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook and Pennant Hills stations.
Route 635 – Castle Hill to Beecroft via West Pennant Hills
100 additional weekly services with the route adjusted to operate via Cherrybrook
Village and David Road with later weeknight and new weekend services introduced.
These changes will also restore the connection between the Anglican Retirement
Village and Cherrybrook Village shops.
Route 642X – Round Corner Dural to City via M2
Over 230 additional weekly services including either side of the afternoon peak and
will now include a stop at Cherrybrook Station, as well as new off-peak and evening
services between Dural and Cherrybrook Station.
Route 651 – Rouse Hill Station to Epping via Castle Hill
Over 50 additional weekly services between Epping and Castle Hill via West Pennant
Hills on weekdays.