Just three repaired articulated ‘bendy' buses have limped back into service on struggling Northern Beaches routes, despite the NSW Government promising in March that it would be a priority for most of the 83-strong damaged fleet to be rolled out in regular intervals throughout 2025.
The revelation comes as Transport Minister John Graham announced a $56 million pre-budget commitment to purchase 50 new bendy buses plus 10 new B-Line buses to address capacity shortages on Sydney's busiest routes spanning Lane Cove, Ryde, Epping and the Beaches...
“At the beginning of this year we were fighting to have the bus crisis recognised, and now we have a huge funding in the budget for 60 new buses, including the Northern Beaches,” she said.
“Although the new buses have been previously announced, commitment in the budget is something to celebrate.”
However, we still have unacceptable number of cancellations on key routes to the city each day - two to three on the 190X route which is already had its timetable slashed,” she said.
“I'll be fighting to have the 190X original timetable reinstated and a long-term strategic plan developed. We currently have one of the longest commutes to the city - that's got to change.”