Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf residents say the planned cessation of their direct to city bus commute – in particular the 171X direct bus route to and from the city, will force them to drive and or severely affect their daily commute.
Representing the residents, Cr Sarah Grattan last night passed an amendment at Council to write to the Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Manly MP James Griffin urging they reinstate the route during peak hours. Council will also seek information on the detailed plans and funding source for the bus interchange at Seaforth Village, among other enquiries.
Cr Grattan surveyed hundreds of residents after the changes were announced and found a significant percentage of respondents were adversely affected by the changes (we have shared the results previously on this page).
Writing in favour of her motion, she stated the following:
“The popular and busy Manly to City via Balgowlah Heights/ Clontarf direct route (171X) has been axed, in favour of a local service that terminates at Seaforth where commuters need to change buses for a city service. Seaforth isn’t currently suitable as a local bus transit hub.
There aren’t the facilities for a bus interchange such as seating and all-weather room to queue. There isn’t suitable parking, there isn’t local road capacity in the morning and the buses that arrive are already full without seating available.
The E71/ 171X was well patronised (before COVID). The main consequence of adding at least 10- 15 minutes on the commute of local residents (and prevent them any chance of a seat) is that they’ll switch back to their cars and penalise the people of Balgowlah Heights and Clontarf. “
Manly Observer has submitted a media query with the Department for further information, including planned removal of a handful of bus stops on the Beaches. We will share that information once available.
You can view the notice of motion via clicking on the below link and scrolling to page 184.
