Transport for NSW Releases Bus Changes To Take Effect When Chatswood Metro Line Opens

Article Updated 4 July 2024

Transport for NSW is introducing changes to bus routes due to the launch of the Sydney Metro line from Chatswood to Sydenham. The changes to bus services will start in August, at the same time Sydney Metro services start operating between Chatswood to Sydenham.

Transport for NSW believes these changes will improve the connection to Sydney Metro and broader public transport network services, mainly in the North West and North Shore.

Other reasons provided for the changes are:

• it will enhance the network
• support residential growth and
• reduce duplication of public transport services.

The bus route changes have been based on Opal data, as well as changed customer travel patterns and customer feedback.

The route changes include:

• Increasing the number of services and operating hours of some routes to offer improved connections to Sydney Metro
• Adjusting existing timetables for other routes to better reflect demand and improve services
• Adjusting some routes to terminate in different locations to reduce duplication between public transport services
• Withdrawing a small number of routes where there is duplication with new Sydney Metro services and availability of alternative bus or train services.

Why are some bus services terminating at North Sydney and not continuing to the CBD?

Transport for NSW has provided the following statement on the changes.

“Some bus services that duplicate the new Sydney Metro services to and from the Sydney CBD will be adjusted to terminate at North Sydney.

Routes 115, 252 and 261 will be adjusted to operate to and from North Sydney only, as this maintains direct access for local travel to schools and employment in the North Sydney area whilst reducing duplication of bus, rail and metro services between North Sydney and the Sydney CBD.

Passengers using these routes to travel to or from the Sydney CBD can transfer to frequent Metro services at Crows Nest and Victoria Cross stations or Sydney Trains services at St Leonards and North Sydney stations.

For some passengers, transferring from bus to metro at Crows Nest or Victoria Cross will enable quicker journeys to other parts of the CBD such as Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal/Town Hall or Central.”

Specific Route Changes

Transport for NSW has now released maps showing the old and new routes for northwest and north shore buses with route changes.

You can view the existing (grey map) and new route (blue map). The changes are probably best seen on a desktop or laptop, as they are harder to see on a mobile device.

As far as ITC can see, they have not yet released the timetable changes.

To view the maps, go to LINK IN BIO https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e33e577555e642fb84fb39961a86fa61

Bus Route 251

Minor service reduction due to low patronage and availability of alternatives.  Some passengers may need to use an earlier or later service, an alternate route/mode or transfer to an alternative service.

Bus Route 252

There will be route path changes and timetable changes.

Route 252 will now operate to/from North Sydney only, no longer operating between North Sydney and the Sydney CBD.

Passengers travelling to/from the Sydney CBD can use M1 Metro services from Crows Nest or Victoria Cross stations.

This change removes bus network duplication with Metro services between Victoria Cross and Sydney CBD stations whilst retaining local access to schools and employment in North Sydney.

Bus Route 253

Minor service reduction due to low patronage and availability of alternatives. •Some passengers may need to use an earlier or later service or transfer to an alternative service.

ITC Note: Several Residents have contacted ITC about the number of cancellations on this route. When Route 253 is cancelled, residents walk up to the interchange to catch a different bus. How does this impact Opal Data and patronage figures?

Bus Route 254

The service will operate as a loop service around Riverview – except for the buses that currently service Ross Smith Parade.  There will only be minor changes to the timetable, with some trips now operating as a single loop from McMahons Point to Riverview.

Bus Route 261

There will be changes in the bus route path and timetable.

Route 261 will now operate to/from North Sydney only, no longer operating between North Sydney and the Sydney CBD. Passengers travelling to/from the Sydney CBD can use frequent M1 Metro services from Victoria Cross station.

This change removes bus network duplication with Metro services between Victoria Cross and Sydney CBD stations whilst retaining local access to schools and employment in North Sydney.

Bus Route 265

There will be changes in the bus route path and timetable.

Route 265 will continue to operate between Lane Cove and North Sydney, however it will no longer operate via Greenwich wharf.

Route 267 will instead extend to Greenwich Wharf and provide passengers direct access to Sydney Metro services at Crows Nest, Sydney Trains services at St Leonards and improved connectivity to local centres seven days a week.

Bus Route 267

There will be changes in the bus route path and timetable.

Route 267 will now operate between Chatswood and Greenwich Wharf, no longer terminating at Crows Nest.

This route extension gives passengers direct access to Sydney Metro services at Crows Nest and Sydney Trains services at St Leonards and improves connectivity to local centres seven days a week.

Bus Route 285

There will be timetable changes.  Additional services will be provided, replacing some routes 288 and 294.

Bus Route 287

There will be timetable changes.

Due to low patronage, minor service reductions will be made; some passengers may need an earlier or later service.

Bus Route 288 

There will be changes in the bus route path and timetable.

Route 288 will no longer operate between Epping and Macquarie University

These changes remove bus network duplication with Metro services between Epping and Macquarie University stations, with alternative bus services also available in this section.

Daytime service frequency will now operate every 20 minutes throughout the week (currently every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays) and be coordinated with route 292 to provide a bus every 10 minutes between the Lane Cove Interchange and the Sydney CBD.

To maintain route 288 links to Epping Boys High School, a morning trip will be extended from Macquarie University to Epping Boys High (and vice versa in the afternoon).

Bus Route 292

There will be timetable changes.

Additional services will operate on route 292, providing increased capacity during busy times.

Daytime service frequency will now operate every 20 minutes throughout the week, coordinated with route 288 to provide a bus every 10 minutes between Lane Cove Interchange and the Sydney CBD.

ITC Note:  Bus Route 262 cancellations are the most frequently reported to In the Cove.

Bus Route 294

This service will be discontinued.

Route 294 has been replaced by frequent M1 Metro services from Macquarie University or Macquarie Park stations to the city, or passengers may use alternative bus services, including routes 288, 292 or 506, to reach their destination.

Bus Route 536

There will be timetable changes.

The service reduction is due to low patronage and the availability of alternatives. Some passengers may need to use an earlier or later service, an alternate route or transfer to an alternative service.

To see all the bus changes impacting the North Shore and the North West, click here.

Will There Be Changes to School Services?

Transport for NSW has advised that only minor changes will be made to some dedicated school services due to other bus service changes and to improve reliability. Most dedicated school services will, however, remain the same.

There may also be changes to regular bus route services that students catch to and from school.

Transport for NSW has stated that they and their bus operators are working closely with schools that may be impacted by these changes to ensure students and their communities are aware of the changes and how they need to adjust their journeys.

How will the changes impact the Upgrade work underway at Greenwich Point Ferry Wharf?

Greenwich Point Wharf is being upgraded as part of the Safe Accessible Transport program and has been closed from May 2024 for approximately eight months.

The upgraded wharf will provide access for passengers with mobility needs, meeting the standards of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT).

During the wharf closure, bus services will be maintained between Greenwich Point Wharf and Crows Nest (via St Leonards) but will be renumbered to route 267 to reflect the changes made to routes 265 and 267 in the Greenwich and Crows Nest area.

How Do You Provide Feedback on the Changes?

To provide feedback on the changes – click here.

Where do I go for more information?

Visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/buschanges to see what these changes mean for you and to plan.   Transport for NSW has advised ITC that this site will be updated with more information before the implementation date.