As Lane Cove commuters know all too well, Sydney buses (operated by different private operators) have been unreliable, with cancellations and timetable changes since they were “franchised.” Lane Cove buses are part of Region 7 and are operated by Busways (background information here).
On 12 March 2025, the NSW Minister for Transport, the Hon. John Graham, issued a media release proclaiming relief was on the way for bus commuters in the Northern Beaches Area (Region 8).
The media release noted:
“The Government is addressing the gap in the aging high-capacity bus fleet by buying 50 new diesel-powered Euro 6 articulated buses and 10 double-decker buses to supplement the B-Line fleet.
The Northern Beaches bus region, known as Region 8, has faced serious issues with a shortage of high-capacity buses since 83 Volvo articulated buses were temporarily removed from service in October 2024 because of safety concerns after cracking had been found in their chassis. More than half of these buses usually operate in Region 8.
Procurement of these much-needed extra buses will improve reliability on the B-Line and increase capacity across the Northern Beaches, North Shore and the wider network. They will be the first new articulated buses bought in 14 years and will provide a big boost to the ageing fleet after more than a decade of neglect by the former Liberal Government.
These new buses are expected to roll out and enter service towards the end of 2025.”
The Media Release also addressed the issue of bus driver shortages (which was previously the reason given for cancelled routes).
“Significant progress has been made to address the bus driver shortage that is especially acute across the North Shore and beaches regions. There are currently 154 driver vacancies across metropolitan Sydney as of 3 March 2025, down from more than 500 in April 2023.
Transport is also investing in future high capacity zero emission buses which are in the early stages of development. Transport has ordered four articulated ZEBs to test and trial for suitability in Sydney conditions.”
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“We know it’s been a difficult couple of months for bus passengers on the Northern Beaches who’ve been dealing with the shortage of articulated buses. Our drivers have been doing their best, but the fleet shortage has meant many services haven’t been up to scratch. That’s why we’re bringing in more high-capacity buses.
What About the Other Regions?
The media release mentioned the North Shore; however, the B-Line services the lower north suburbs of Neutral Bay, Mosman, and Cremorne. Were these suburbs the North Shore areas the Minister was referring to?
The articulated buses (aka the bendy buses) withdrawal from service has impacted more than Region 8.
The 83 buses referred to in the Minister’s press release included buses servicing Lane Cove see the chart below:
At this stage, it is unknown how many of the new buses will be allocated to Region 7. As the articulated buses are fixed and returned to service, two buses are freed up and can go back into circulation.
There has been no guarantee that Region 7 will receive new buses. However, the “freed up” buses will be redistributed throughout the regions. This redistribution raises questions such as how old these buses are and whether they are reliable.
A Transport for NSW Spokesperson told ITC:
“Transport for NSW is finalising the allocation of these new buses to each region, after which specific routes will be determined. The new buses are expected to be used on the busiest bus routes across the network which will have a knock-on effect where this will allow existing buses on these routes to be distributed across Sydney on other busy routes needing more capacity.”
A Busways Spokesperson Told ITC:
“Transport for NSW is taking immediate steps to address the bus shortage in Greater Sydney by procuring 50 additional high-capacity articulated diesel buses and expediting repairs to existing vehicles. These measures will enhance service reliability and increase capacity across the Northern Beaches, North Shore, and the broader network.
Transport for NSW is finalising the allocation of these new buses to each region, after which specific routes will be determined. The new buses are expected to be used on the busiest bus routes across the network which will have a knock-on effect where this will allow existing buses on these routes to be distributed across Sydney on other busy routes needing more capacity.
Busways will deploy the new buses as soon as they arrive to further improve service availability.”
Tim James, Member for Willoughby, has posted on Lane Cove Chat by ITC that he is in regular contact with the Minister for Transport, Transport for NSW and local bus operators and the Willoughby Depot (many of Lane Cove buses originate from the Ryde Depot).
He posted the following:
“The disruption experienced lately has mainly resulted from a shortage of buses after the withdrawal of eight bendy buses with safety issues and five regular buses ageing out. As a result of strong advocacy, I can advise:
- Repaired bendy buses will begin returning to service in the coming weeks, and excess buses from other regions will be transferred to the Willoughby depot.
- Two of the withdrawn bendy buses from Willoughby depot will be returned to service in April which will help to make a difference.
- 50 new replacement bendy buses have been ordered. This is welcome and something I strongly called for. However, they will only begin entering service from late this year.
- Prior year bus disruption has been largely due to bus driver shortages that I am advised have been resolved with the Willoughby depot currently fully staffed.
- The fee to replace lost Student Opal cards has been waived until 11 April 2025 to encourage school children to tap on and off to give accurate data. Please ensure your child has an Opal card and is using it.
- I continue to advocate for getting the electric bus conversion of Willoughby depot back on track. The roll out is currently timed for mid-2027. This is important as new electric buses are meant to replace ageing diesel buses.
- I’ll be calling for the government to offer fare relief for commuters in recognition of the unacceptable service and disruption.
- I continue to call for the government to manage and enforce the bus contracts following the scathing report of the independent Audit Office of NSW earlier this year.”
Lane Cove Commuters Comments on Bus Reliability on Lane Cove Chat by ITC
13 March 2025
“Getting sick and tired of the cancelled services to and from the city, seems to always happen during peak times.”
“It’s been a couple of weeks now that there are no buses between 3:30pm and 4pm going to Lane Cove from the city. The two scheduled buses between these hours get cancelled with no replacement.”
19 March 2025
“When the 4pm or just after 4pm bus arrives, half of the passengers can’t get on. The two ladies from NSW transport that are at the bus stop every single day, can’t give me another info [line to call other] than to call 131500, a number that doesn’t give you any option to voice concerns.
Is sending an email to NSW transport the only avenue?”
20 March 2025
“the 7.25am [251] has been cancelled every day for the past 2 weeks.”
20 March 2025 – Delays Due to Police Operation at Macquarie Park
Due to a police operation in Macquarie Park, numerous buses were cancelled or delayed.
Transport for NSW released a statement advising that buses would be delayed due to the police operation. The statement included a long list of cancelled bus routes, but it did not include the 251, 252, or 253; however, these routes had significant delays.
Busways advised that these routes were impacted as buses that were to be assigned to those routes were impacted by the police operation, as one bus could service different routes. So, if an impacted bus was delayed, it would impact different routes.
What will Happen Next?
ITC will continue to monitor the new buses roll out and its impact on Region 7.
Help Support Local and Independent News
You can support us in three ways:
- Become an ITC reader sponsor – Feel free to sponsor if you have enjoyed our local news coverage and would like to be an ITC reader sponsor. You can sponsor us with a monthly sponsorship fee. We have reader sponsors who support us for $5.00 a month and some who invest $100 a year – no amount is too small or too big. Thank you so much to those who supported us via our press Patreon account. Help Us Here.
- Buy the ITC team a coffee – We now have a team, and they need to be paid – by the ITC team a coffee (or two) that will help us pay their wages and shout than a coffee Buy a Coffee here.
- Do you own a Lane Cove Business or a Lane Cove resident who owns a business, you can advertise with ITC. Please email us here for our rates card.
