Cancelled M91 buses frequent at Granville, Chester Hill

Western Sydney commuters are being left stranded after late-running buses bypass passengers on popular routes and force them onto overcrowded services.

Set-down M91 bus. Western Sydney commuters are being left stranded after late-running buses bypass passengers on popular routes and force them on to overcrowded buses.

Western Sydney commuters are being left stranded after late-running services bypass passengers on popular routes and force them onto crowded buses.

Commuters on the M91, which runs from Parramatta to Hurstville, have complained to Transport for NSW and Transport Minister Jo Haylen about delayed buses that have failed to collect them from bus stops including Blaxcell St at Granville and suburbs such as Chester Hill.

Passengers said the problem was “out of control” and forced them to pile on to other loaded buses.

One commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, complained to the Transport Minister about being bypassed about 10 times since November, including three times between 5.30pm and 6pm in December.

After he complained, the operator – Perth-based Transit Systems – sent a response that said the buses displayed “set down only” signs when buses were running “significantly late”, experiencing mechanical issues, staff were ill or buses had reached capacity.

He was told the three services were scrapped because they ran late from previous trips due to peak hour traffic and loadings.

An example of an M91 bus failing to pick up passengers.

After an investigation it was confirmed another bus ran 30 minutes late because it was delayed by a previous trip, while the second service was having mechanical problems and broke down on Campbell Hill Rd shortly after passing the passenger.

The company apologised to the man.

“Our depot managers, operational control centre and scheduling department are aware of the ongoing issues regarding the M91 services and are working on resolutions to reduce the cancellations and set-down only issues,’’ the letter stated.

Another bus displays a sign declaring “another bus following” at Blaxcell St, Granville.

The commuter fears the problem could escalate when school returns this week.

Former Labor MP and regular M91 patron Laurie Ferguson has also been vocal criticising the service.

“A miracle. The M91 is only 17 minutes late,’’ he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in December.

“Who is checking this contract???’’

He blamed many delays on the bank up of traffic to reach Power Fuel petrol station at Blaxcell St, Granville, where queues slowed down buses getting to bus stops.

“It’s delaying them and putting a lot of old people in danger,’’ he said.

In May 2022, Mr Ferguson blasted the service on Facebook after it failed to arrive at Colquhoun Park, Granville.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said it would meet Transit Systems to ensure the “operational procedure’’ was only being used when the safety of passengers and the driver needed to take precedence.

“The M91 runs a frequent 10-minute service during the weekday,’’ the spokeswoman said.

“However passengers are always encouraged to use Trip Planner to plan ahead as cancellations can happen due to a range of reasons including operational issues or driver sickness.

Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn said an investigation would be requested with Transport Minister Jo Haylen.

Originally published as Cancelled M91 buses frequent at Granville, Chester Hill