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Pittwater independent MP Jacqui Scruby slams Transport for NSW’s huge cuts to 190x bus service

Transport for NSW have cut peak commuter services to the north of Pittwater, outraging commuters, despite the Auditor-General calling for improvements to the privatised bus Network. 

Cuts to the 190x bus service from North Avalon to Sydney CBD are leaving commuters waiting longer for fewer services provoking a frustrated response from the community The service, which runs a limited timetable through peak hours only, has been cut approximately 25%. 

“I’m furious, commuters are furious and rightly so. We live on the outskirts of Greater Sydney and have a long journey to the city.  It’s bad enough that we only have a direct route to the city in peak hour. It’s appalling this has now been cut by 25%.”  

Ms Scruby confirmed that several people have contacted her office, and there has been outrage on local Facebook groups. 

“I’m raising the issue with Jo Haylen, Minister for Transport, Transport for NSW and with the operators Keolis Downer Northern Beaches (KDNB). 

“What were billed as ‘minor timetable adjustments to better align capacity with demand’ are actually cuts from 12 buses Monday to Thursday morning service which are now reduced to nine. 

“Whilst I welcome there has been an increase to B1 services, and we are excited to welcome an electric bus fleet, commuters north of Mona Vale should have a direct route to the city. I also appreciate that there were mechanical issues with bendy buses, forcing 39 off the road which have impacted the 190X, these should have been resolved by now. 

“I’ve been monitoring the complaints and on social media and thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact me about this already. I'm inviting commuters to let me know how the cuts are affecting them so I can give both the Minister and the operators concrete examples of the impact the new timetable is having. The more information I have the better I can push for action. 

“I’ve already had complaints about continued cancellations even under the new timetable, making people late for work, and I will also be following this up. People need a regular and reliable 190X service, and I will continue to work hard to ensure that the services that Keolis Downer are contracted to provide are delivered.”  

“It appears that disappointing cuts to services in Pittwater are part of a wider problem identified by the NSW Auditor-General who said that Transport for NSW was ‘not effectively managing bus contracts', including analysis of key performance trends and passenger feedback.” 
 
The Auditor-General’s report identified common complaints as buses missing scheduled stops, arriving late, or cancelled trips. 

“The Liberal party privatised buses on the Northern Beaches – it's time the contracts were enforced and I’ll be pressuring the NSW Government to fix the system.” 

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