HillsBus petition: Hundreds rally for NSW Government to return Hillsbus services after Sydney Metro

Commuters are outraged over a decision to cancel dozens of bus services across The Hills following the completion of the Sydney Metro northwest.

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Furious commuters across The Hills have gathered at a public forum — outraged over the NSW Government’s decision to cut hundreds of bus services across Sydney’s northwest.

Hundreds turned out at the Cherrybrook event on Sunday, calling for urgent changes to be made to reverse a decision to drastically reduce or cancel several bus services since the opening of the Sydney Metro Norwest network.

Pictures taken at a public meeting in Cherrybrook about the plans to scrap bus services in The Hills Districts. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews)

Hornsby Greens councillor Emma Heyde hosted the community forum and hit out at the lack of government representation to the critical community event.

“We are sending a strong message that public transport here is not good enough and we are not going to settle for second best,” Cr Heyde said.

“It was extremely disappointing that not one MP turned up, or even sent an official representative to listen to the community’s concerns.

“It shows contempt for hardworking residents who just want to get to and from work and around their suburb efficiently.”

Hornsby Councillor Emma Heyde speaking to angry residents left without buses across The Hills. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews)

Cr Heyde said residents were “deeply angered” by the government’s decision which as “thrown families into chaos, affected people with disability particularly hard and left students stranded”.

“Because the government has data from opal cards, they know exactly how many people thousands of people rely on Hillsbus services,” she said.

Students have been left without buses following the completion of the Sydney Metro northwest. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

“Those services were still running at eighty per cent capacity. Residents want to do the right thing and keep off the roads.

“The government should be applauding us and providing frequent, reliable and super convenient bus routes.”

The strong community campaign calling for the government to reverse the decision comes as Transport Minister Andrew Constance — who failed to attend the public meeting — told parliament there was never a promise services that were “running on empty” wouldn’t be cut.

“We’ve got phenomenal members in Northwest Sydney who delivered a brand new-spanking metro,” Mr Constance said in parliament on Thursday.

“Why would you go and build a brand new, fully-automated 7.3 billion train and keep buses running on empty running around it?”

Dozens of bus services have been scrapped following the opening of the Sydney Metro northwest.

Mr Constance told Opposition Western Sydney and Local Government spokesman Greg Warren he was “completely and utterly crazy” to think buses would not be affected.

“I made clear that we would always observe what would happen in terms of bus patronage around the Metro,” he said.

“You would always adjust the bus network around Norwest Metro, we always said very clearly that we would monitor the buses”.

More than 7300 people have signed the change.org petition demanding the return of all HillsBus services.

Residents sign the petition to reinstate buses across The Hills. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews)

Epping state Liberal MP and NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, promised he would update the community on the future of the bus schedule soon.

“I understand some of the bus service changes introduced since the start of the Metro have caused frustration for people who now have to change modes of transport or take a different bus route.”

“I have raised these issues directly with Transport for NSW officials in a meeting last week and I have been assured they will continue to monitor local public transport patronage and customer feedback and will make further adjustments to services as required,” he said.

“I will be arranging a public meeting with TfNSW representatives so I can hear first-hand residents’ concerns.

“This will also give people the chance to speak directly with TfNSW representatives about their issues and provide them with more information about the bus service changes.”