Northern beaches’ buses: Boost in service numbers in bid to slash overcrowding and delays

New timetables, with a jump in services, are set to bring relief to frustrated northern beaches’ commuters who have been coping with packed buses, long queues and rides just not turning up.

New bus timetables to be come into force on March 31 will boost the number of weekly B-Line bus services by 146 a week and add more express bus service between the northern beaches to the city and North Sydney in an effort to reduce overcrowding and meet increased customer demand, the NSW Government says. File picture: (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

New bus timetables are set to increase the number of commuter express buses on the northern beaches in an effort to slash ongoing overcrowding, delays and cancelled services.

B-Line buses to the CBD will be boosted by close to 150 each week.

And there will be more express buses on popular routes between the Beaches, the city and North Sydney.

There will also be improved school bus runs on the North Shore.

But, Transport for NSW confirmed, that would be a “temporary” reduction in some less popular services to free up more drivers for busier routes.

An express bus leaving Brookvale for Wynyard at the bus stop on Warringah Rd, Brookvale. Picture: Manly Daily.

The changes, contained in updated timetables to begin operation on March 31, come after a NSW Government Bus Taskforce review into delays and cancellation of buses on the northern beaches, and elsewhere in NSW.

Independent MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, had also been persistently lobbying for an improvement to commuter and school bus services.

In July last year, a bus driver drought forced authorities to slash the number of peak hour commuter services on the northern beaches and Lower North Shore.

More than 180 daily weekday non-B Line services to the CBD and North Sydney were cut.

Keolis Downer Northern Beaches, the private company operating public buses on behalf of the NSW Government, was ordered to slash services to “curb the effect of last-minute cancellations”.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen (left) and independent MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan (centre), speak with drivers including Allan Hodgson at the Keolis Downer bus depot at Brookvale in May, 2023. Picture: NSW Government

Transport Minister Jo Haylen confirmed that timetables were changing to give passengers more frequent services to the city.

An extra 146 B-Line services will be added each week to meet an increase in customer

demand, reduce overcrowding and improve reliability, Ms Haylen said.

“This part of the world is heavily reliant on bus services and these new changes will help ease frustration during those busy times and also give school students more options to make it to class on time.”

Extra weekday peak hour buses will be scheduled for popular routes included the 150X from Manly to Milsons Point; the 165X (South Curl Curl to Wynyard); and 174X (Narraweena to Wynyard).

There will also be changes to the 270 service from Terrey Hills to the city; 271 (Belrose to city) and 274 (Davidson to city).

There are also several new school services, including:

• a new route between Gordon rail station and St Ives High School

• a new route replacing the 589 from Turramurra High School

• more peak trips on the 230 (Mosman Wharf to Milsons Point).

Mr Regan said he was pleased that pleas from the community and his consistent advocacy on its behalf, had increased bus services on key routes.

The independent MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, speaks with drivers at the Keolis Downer bus depot at Brookvale in May, 2023. Mr Regan has been consistently lobbying the NSW Government for improved services. Picture: NSW Government

“There is more to do to get bus services up to scratch, but this is an important step in the right direction.

“The Minister has assured me personally it continues to be a priority for her and the NSW

Government. I will make sure it stays that way.”

Transport for NSW Coordinator-General, Howard Collins, said it had examined “routes that aren’t widely used and was making temporary reductions to those, which will significantly reduce unplanned cancellations because of driver shortages.”

Passengers are advised to check Transportnsw.info for the new timetables.