Northern Beaches Advocate: Bendy buses are set to make a comeback this month after being withdrawn from service over safety concerns.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby raised concerns in February about repeated cancellations affecting Northern Beaches services, in particular the 190X from Avalon Beach to the city...
Jacqui Scruby MP has demanded the returned buses prioritise services from the northern end of Pittwater.
“I’m calling on the NSW Government to ensure that the 190X and 199 are prioritised. Commuters in Pittwater have seen their travel times double to the longest commute in Sydney, and repairs have taken far longer than expected, so we need the bendy buses returning this month to service our routes.
“The 190X timetable was slashed this year by 25 percent with the peak time only service dropping from 12 buses per morning to only nine, with an average of two currently being cancelled each morning.
“I’ve been in contact with the Minister’s office every day, providing feedback to optimise and balance cancellations and tracking cancellations and it’s paying off.
“Commuters I have spoken to at bus stops are noticing the improvements but still experiencing cancellations which aren’t good enough. Bendy buses returning is the next step that will see buses running the way people deserve so they can get to work on time.
“The government and Keolis Downer also need to address the bus driver shortages, we need bus drivers to operate the fleet as it increases. Resolving immediate issues is one thing, but I am focused on getting the original 2024 190X timetable returned — back to 12 services that arrive on time, every day.
“It won’t be over then either. I will continue to work with the NSW Government to develop a long-term strategic plan to solve our bus crisis,” said Ms Scruby.