Lines go around the block for buses at UNSW since construction on light rail began

IT’S a long wait for a short ride to and from the University of NSW after road closures and bus redirections leave students out in the cold.

The line for buses goes around the block. Picture: Supplied.

COMMUTERS waiting for buses at the University of NSW are being forced to queue for hours after services were reshuffled to make way for construction of the South East Light Rail.

The State Government has been accused of slashing the number of buses to the university, with photos sent to Southern Courier last week showing long lines of people waiting for public transport.

But Transport for NSW said queues for bus services at the university had been an issue “long before light rail construction began”.

Umbrellas are important waiting this long in the rain.

Heffron state Labor MP Ron Hoenig said he had written to Transport Minister Andrew Constance in a bid to solve the congestion.

“Students are waiting up to an hour each way between Central station and the university — time that could be better spent working, studying or with family and friends,” he said.

Mr Hoenig said nine bus routes had services cut after light rail construction began in Anzac Pde at Kensington this year.

“The minister must immediately deliver more and more frequent 891 services,” Mr Hoenig said. “He can fix this tomorrow if he wants.”

Transport for NSW co-ordinator general Marg Prendergast said no services had been removed or reduced.

“(This) is why we are building the CBD and South East Light Rail — to fix the problem and ease local congestion,” she said.

A long wait in store.

The 895 service was changed to 891 in February and the UNSW express services were relocated on March 31 to stop students getting on and off the bus in the construction zone.

Seven bus stops along High St closed on March 31 to accommodate light rail construction, replaced by five bus stops to provide access to the hospital precinct and UNSW.

Routes 348, 370, 400, 410, 418, 891 and M50 have been diverted and have new stopping arrangements.

Going round the bend.

Sydney light rail fly-through

Ms Prendergast said the weather had made the situation worse.

“With the recent traffic changes in the area and the wet weather there has been heavier traffic in the precinct, which has delayed the arrival of some buses,” she said.

She said the department was “closely monitoring” the impact of the bus changes and continued to make adjustments as issues arose.