“Light at the end of the tunnel”, is how Wakehurst MP Michael Regan describes news today that scores of new buses-including ten B-line double deckers and 50 new bendy bus fleet had been ordered for the Northern Beaches.
The Northern Beaches bus region, known as Region 8, has faced serious issues with a shortage of high-capacity buses since 83 Volvo articulated buses were temporarily removed from service in October 2024 because of safety concerns after cracking had been found in their chassis. More than half of these buses normally operate in Region 8.
Coupled with a driver shortage, which has reduced but remains pronounced, Beaches commuters have had frustrating delays, cancellations and encountered repeated breakdowns, the latest occurring just Monday as the bus attempted to climb Spit Hill at peak hour.
These will be the first new bendy buses purchased for the region in 14 years, and will also be accompanied by new standard sized Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) that will also be rolled out in the area over the next 12 months.
The downside? You’ll need to wait til towards the end of the year to receive them…
The older bendy buses, however are also coming back into service over the next few months, following significant repairs to cracks found on the turning plates, he said.
Transport Minister John Graham said repairs to the first six existing articulated buses are currently underway and are forecast to return to service from April next month. Transport is currently working to deliver a repair program for the remaining articulated buses for a staged return to service over 2025.
“We know it’s been a difficult couple of months for bus passengers on the Northern Beaches who’ve been dealing with the shortage of articulated buses. Our drivers have been doing their best, but the fleet shortage has meant many services haven’t been up to scratch. That’s why we’re bringing in more high-capacity buses,” Mr Graham said.
“As these additional high-capacity buses and repaired articulated buses enter service over the next 12 months this will mean fewer disruptions, improved reliability and bus services that better meet the needs of the people who rely on them.”
Michael Regan said the investment from the government was “a direct result of our community standing up and demanding better.”
“Reliable public transport is essential for our growing, bus dependent community. More buses will make a real difference in ensuring people can get to work, school, and essentialservices without the stress of cancellations, massive queues and overcrowding,” Mr Regan said.
“We are not going to get a metro anytime soon given the cost, low population growth on the beaches and the priority to deliver it to growing parts of Sydney, where density is significantly more than here, as well as connecting it to the airport. Combined with the time to build these metros, we are and will continue to be reliant on the bus network.”
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby thanked the government for “listening to our strong and relentless calls and working collaboratively to address the bus crisis.”
“This is an epic win and investment for the Northern Beaches and will address the underlying issues causing commuters pain.”
Manly MP James Griffin agreed it was welcome news, but said they should have been ordered as soon as the bendy buses were forced offline last year.
“This is welcome news but the tender process should have began the moment the bendy buses came off the road, not half a year later after my commuters experienced some of the worst commuting conditions seen in 10 years.
Not many people remember how bad things were before the B-Line was created but this was pretty close.
I’ll be monitoring the process closely to ensure the buses are delivered and the service improves”.
Meanwhile, as at 7am this morning, commuters continue to suffer from repeated cancellations. Here is a screenshot from one commuter stranded at Manly Vale.
Work from home, anyone?
