Metrobus (Sydney)
Metrobus | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Owner | Transport for NSW |
Locale | Sydney |
Transit type | Bus |
Number of lines | 13 |
Operation | |
Began operation | 2008–2011 |
Operator(s) | Hillsbus State Transit Transdev NSW Transit Systems NSW U-Go Mobility |
Metrobus (stylised as metrobus) is a high frequency, high capacity bus network in Sydney, Australia, first introduced in 2008. Metrobus services run every 10 minutes during peak periods, 15 minutes during off-peak weekday periods, and 20 minutes on weekends, linking key commercial suburbs and centres throughout the city, with the intention of making timetables obsolete. All buses were initially painted in a distinctive red livery but recently, the standard Transport for NSW livery of blue and white has been adopted. All Metrobus services are wheelchair accessible. All route numbers were prefixed with an "M" followed by a two-digit number.
As of May 2024[update], only two Metrobus routes (M90 and M91) remain in operation.
History
The network originally operated along bus trunk routes through the inner suburbs, but passed through the CBD rather than terminating there. This reduced overcrowding on the trunk routes without needing to layover extra buses in the CBD. This concept was later diluted with the network's expansion to include long distance routes servicing major activity centres in outer suburbs.
The first route, M10 from
In March 2009, an expansion of the Metrobus network with the addition of four further routes serving the inner suburbs (M20, M30, M40, M50) was announced.[3]
In July 2010 it was announced a further eight new Metrobus routes were to be rolled out in 2011 to service suburbs in Sydney's west, north, north-west, south and south-west (M41, M52, M54, M60, M61, M90, M91, M92).[4] This saw Hillsbus and Veolia Transport (later Transdev NSW) also become Metrobus operators.
Routes M10, M20, M30, M41 and M50 were included in the transfer of region 6 from State Transit to Transit Systems on 1 July 2018.[5]
During April and May 2019, as part of the opening of Sydney Metro, a number of Metrobus services were renumbered to 3-digit numerical routes, dropping the "M" prefix.[6] while two others were renumbered in February 2020.[7][8]
During July and August 2023, route M92 was included in the transfer of region 10 from Transdev NSW to U-Go Mobility, while routes M90 and M91 were included in the transfer of region 13 from Transdev NSW to Transit Systems.[9][10] M92 was later split up into routes 920 and 960 in September that year.
Since September 2023, only routes M90 and M91 remain but they have been operated with buses of various livery since the removal of Metrobus signage on Metrobus-liveried buses by their previous operator Transdev NSW.
Date | Commenced | Ceased | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
M10 | 12 October 2008 | 24 October 2020 | withdrawn[8] |
M20 | 26 October 2009 | 8 February 2020 | renumbered 320[7] |
M30 | 28 March 2010 | 8 February 2020 | split into 430 and 100[7] |
M40 | 18 July 2010 | 27 April 2019 | renumbered 120[6] |
M41 | 9 December 2010 | 27 April 2019 | renumbered 410[6] |
M50 | 31 October 2010 | 24 October 2020 | withdrawn[8] |
M52 | 8 August 2010 | 24 January 2021 | split into 500X and 501[12] |
M54 | 10 October 2010 | 27 April 2019 | renumbered 550[6] |
M60 | 7 March 2011 | 25 May 2019 | renumbered 600[6] |
M61 | 20 December 2010 | 25 May 2019 | renumbered 610X[6] |
M90 | 6 December 2010 | ||
M91 | 7 February 2011 | ||
M92 | 14 March 2011 | 23 September 2023 | split into 920 and 960[13] |
Tickets and fares
All Metrobus services use the Opal card system to validate tickets. Metrobus routes M10, M20, M30, M40, M50 were full-time pre-pay only services since introduction and required passengers to purchase a ticket before boarding. M52, M54, M60 and M61 also became pre-pay during 2018 and 2019.
Routes
M10: Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction
M10 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Maroubra Junction |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M10 ran from
On 28 December 2008, route M10 was curtailed to Leichhardt Town Hall no longer operating to
It was originally proposed to abolish the City to Maroubra Junction section after the CBD and South East Light Rail was completed.[18] On 25 October 2020, route M10 was withdrawn, with the western portion replaced by additional 440 services and the eastern portion replaced by L3 light rail and other bus services.[8]
M20: Gore Hill to Botany
M20 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Gore Hill |
Via | North Sydney Town Hall station Central station Green Square Mascot |
End | Botany |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M20 ran from
It connected with Sydney Trains stations at St Leonards, North Sydney, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. Route M20 originally terminated at Mascot, before being extended to Botany shops on 27 February 2011.[19] Short-working trips were later introduced between Wynyard and Zetland. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5] It was renumbered as route 320 on 9 February 2020 and cut back from Botany to Mascot.[7]
M30: Taronga Zoo to Sydenham
M30 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Sydney University Newtown station |
End | Sydenham station |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M30 ran from
It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Wynyard, Town Hall, Central, Newtown and Sydenham. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Neutral Bay Junction, Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. This service was originally planned to terminate at Enmore Park although Sydenham was chosen as a more appropriate terminus. Route M30 originally operated between Town Hall and Central stations via George Street.
On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via Park Street, Castlereagh Street, Hay Street and Pitt Street in the Sydenham direction, and via Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue, Elizabeth Street and Park Street in the Spit Junction direction.[17] Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5] It was renumbered as route 430 on 9 February 2020.[7] On 20 December 2020, route 430 was curtailed to operate between Sydenham station and Martin Place, with the rest of the route replaced by route 100 (operated by State Transit) between the Queen Victoria Building and Taronga Zoo.[20]
M40: Chatswood to Bondi Junction
M40 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | State Transit |
Garage | Waverley Willoughby |
Began service | 18 July 2010 |
Ended service | 27 April 2019 |
Route | |
Start | Chatswood station |
Via | Willoughby Town Hall station Museum station Taylor Square Paddington |
End | Bondi Junction station |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M40 ran from Chatswood station to Bondi Junction station via Willoughby Road, Wynyard station, Town Hall station and Oxford Street, and commenced on 18 July 2010.[15]
It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Chatswood, Wynyard, Town Hall, Museum and Bondi Junction stations. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Chatswood, Queen Victoria Building, Wynyard, and Bondi Junction. M40 was renumbered 340 on 28 April 2019.[6] On 4 October 2015, in conjunction with bus network changes to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via College Street and Park Street in both directions instead of via Liverpool Street and Elizabeth Street.[17] M40 was renumbered 340 on 28 April 2019[6] and was withdrawn and replaced by route 120 on 24 January 2021.[12]
M41: Hurstville to Marsfield
M41 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Marsfield |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M41 ran from
M50: Drummoyne to Coogee
M50 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Transit Systems |
Garage | Leichardt Tempe |
Began service | 31 October 2010 |
Ended service | 24 October 2020 |
Former operator(s) | State Transit |
Route | |
Start | Drummoyne |
Via | Town Hall station Central station Cleveland Street Randwick |
End | Coogee Beach |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M50 ran from Drummoyne to Coogee Beach via Victoria Road, the Anzac Bridge, CBD, Fox Studios, Randwick Racecourse, Randwick shops and The Spot, and commenced on 31 October 2010. Route M50 connected with Sydney Trains stations at Town Hall, and Museum.[22] It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to the Moore Park area. This service was originally planned to terminate at Randwick although Coogee Beach was decided to be a more appropriate terminus.
Route M50 originally ran along
It was originally proposed to abolish the city to Coogee section when the CBD and South East Light Rail was completed.[18] On 25 October 2020, route M50 was withdrawn, with the western portion replaced by routes 502 to 504 and the eastern portion replaced by L2 light rail and other bus services.[8]
M52: Parramatta to Circular Quay
M52 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | |
End | Circular Quay |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M52 ran from Parramatta to Circular Quay via Victoria Road, Top Ryde City, Town Hall station and commenced on 8 August 2010. It replaced route L20 and is supplemented by the 520 route outside of M52 operating hours.
Route M52 connects passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, West Ryde, Town Hall, St James and Circular Quay. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Top Ryde, Queen Victoria Building and Circular Quay. Route M52 originally proceeded down George Street. On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via Park and Elizabeth Streets instead of George Street.[17] On 24 January 2021, M52 was withdrawn and replaced by routes 500X and 501.[12]
M54: Parramatta to Macquarie Park
M54 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Macquarie Park |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M54 ran from
It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Carlingford, Epping, Macquarie University, and Macquarie Park. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Epping, and Macquarie Centre. On 5 June 2016, route M54 was extended to operate extra half-hourly services nightly between 8:00pm and midnight. On 6 May 2018, route M54 was extended to operate overnight services at an hourly frequency seven nights a week, thus becoming a 24-hour service. [5] M54 was renumbered 550 on 28 April 2019.[6]
M60: Parramatta to Hornsby
M60 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Normanhurst Waitara |
End | Hornsby |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M60 ran from
It connected with Parramatta, Pennant Hills and Hornsby Sydney Trains stations and other bus services at major interchanges Parramatta, Castle Hill and Hornsby. At commencement, M60 replaced daytime 600 services between Parramatta and Castle Hill which operated early morning and late night and one in the afternoon on weekdays and some limited 600 services between Parramatta and Cherrybrook. Other remaining 600 services were replaced on 3 June 2018.[25] M60 was renumbered back to 600 on 26 May 2019.[6]
M61: Castle Hill to Queen Victoria Building
M61 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Baulkham Hills M2 Motorway |
End | Queen Victoria Building |
Service | |
Level | Daily with all night on Fridays and Saturdays |
Route M61 ran from
It allowed passengers to connect with services to
M90: Burwood to Liverpool
M90 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Moorebank |
End | Liverpool |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M90 runs from
M91: Parramatta to Hurstville
M91 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Hurstville |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M91 runs from
M92: Parramatta to Sutherland
M92 | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | U-Go Mobility |
Began service | 14 March 2011 |
Ended service | 23 September 2023 |
Former operator(s) | Transdev NSW |
Route | |
Start | Parramatta station |
Via | Lidcombe station Bankstown station Padstow |
End | Sutherland station |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Route M92 ran from Parramatta station to Sutherland via Lidcombe, Bankstown, Padstow and Menai and began 14 March 2011, it was the last Metrobus route launched.[27] it connects with the Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Lidcombe, Bankstown, Padstow and Sutherland. Until December 2018, the route largely duplicated route 962 between Bankstown and Sutherland, with the difference that M92 bypasses Illawong and Menai Marketplace. The duplication ended with the rerouting of 962 to East Hills instead of Bankstown in December 2018. Operation of the route passed from Transdev NSW to U-Go Mobility with region 10 on 1 July 2023.[9]
On 24 September 2023, M92 was withdrawn and replaced by routes 920 (between Parramatta and Bankstown) and 960 (between Bankstown and Sutherland). Transport for NSW stated the change would improve journey time and reliability for passengers, and would also allow drivers to complete other U-Go Mobility routes impacted by driver shortages.[13]
Fleet
When operations commenced, services were operated by dedicated fleets in a red livery. As new buses have been delivered these have been painted in Transport for NSW's white and blue livery.
References
- ^ Quarterly Performance Information October to December 2012 Archived 5 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine State Transit
- Sydney Morning Herald16 August 2007
- ^ Expansion of Metrobus Network Across Sydney Archived 30 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine Office of the Premier of New South Wales 25 March 2009
- ^ "Boost for Sydney's red bus network" Archived 23 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 20 July 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g Transit Systems Boosts Inner West Bus Services Transport for NSW 13 February 2018
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Service adjustments 2019". Transport Info NSW. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bus service changes for the Inner West and Northern Beaches". Transport Info NSW. 26 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Inner West bus service changes". Transport Info NSW. 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ a b "CIMIC's UGL awarded $250 million contract to operate buses in Sydney's South-West". UGL Limited. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "Transit Systems retains and adds Greater Sydney Bus Contracts". Transit Systems. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- ^ "Annual Report for year ended 30 June 2011" (PDF). Department of Transport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Additional bus services for North West Sydney and lower North Shore Archived 3 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine 3 December 2020
- ^ a b "Changes to M92 Parramatta to Sutherland bus route". Transport for NSW. 11 September 2023. Archived from the original on 12 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- Australian Bus Panoramaissue 24/4 December 2008 page 20
- ^ Australian Busissue 41 September 2010 page 16
- ^ M10 timetable Transport for NSW 12 October 2020
- ^ a b c d e "A new CBD bus network" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
- ^ a b "CSELR-Environmental-Impact-Statement Volume 2: Technical Papers 1 & 2" (PDF). Transport for NSW. 14 November 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ Metrobus M20 extended to Botany Shops from 27 February 2011 NSW Transport [dead link]
- ^ Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus service improvements Archived 9 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 9 October 2020
- ^ M41 – Hurstville to Macquarie Park starts Sunday, 19 December NSW Transport
- ^ M50 timetable Transport for NSW 12 October 2020
- ^ South East bus changes March 2017 Archived 21 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Transport for NSW
- ^ Metrobus M60 ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
- ^ Western Sydney bus service improvements Archived 28 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW
- ^ Metrobus M61 ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
- ^ a b c Metrobus Transdev NSW
- ^ Timelines - Sydney Region Route Number System Archived 25 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Private Bus Routes
External links
- Media related to Metrobus (Sydney) at Wikimedia Commons
- Transport Info Metrobus home page
- Transport for NSW Metrobus home page