Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby is calling for the return of the first repaired bendy buses this month, to be prioritised to the Northern Beaches fleet.
“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.”
Ms Scruby notes the 190X timetable was slashed this year by 25% with the peak time only service dropping from 12 buses per morning to only 9, with an average of 2 currently being cancelled each morning. More of the 83 bendy buses were taken off the road last year with mechanical problems. Six bendy buses will come back into service on the Northern Beaches in April with more returning over the coming months. Later in the year, 60 new diesel buses, as well as 15 electric buses will be added to the fleet.
Commuters are already experiencing improved services, with Jacqui Scruby MP tracking fewer cancellations, but Ms Scruby is keeping up the pressure until a full service is restored.
“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’ve 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.”
Ms Scruby notes the bus crisis is complex, with multiple issues that need a suite of solutions for it to be solved.
“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’m focused on getting the original 2024 190X timetable returned - back to 12 services that arrive on time, everyday.”
“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,” she stated.
Ms Scruby would like to hear your recent experiences with buses on the Northern Beaches. If you would like to share your experiences, you can find a link to Ms Scruby’s survey here.