JENNY AITCHISON
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS

MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR DELIVERS ON COMMITMENT FOR BETTER REGIONAL BUS SERVICES

Video and stills available to download here

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its promise for improved public bus transport in the regions in 2024 after a big boost in services in regional and outer metropolitan NSW in 2023.

Seven regional cities received revamped bus networks in 2023 with nearly 1000 additional weekly services rolled out since the 2023 election, many of them on Sundays and public holidays for the first time.

Over the past year, more than 250 regional and outer metropolitan buses were fitted with technology that allows passengers to track their vehicle in real time, and a second regional trial of contactless bus payments started in Dubbo.

During 2023, a number of isolated area bus service trials were extended for a further 12 months, and the popular Snowy Mountains bus trial expanded to run seven days a week during the entire ski season, with weekly and season tickets offered for the first time.

Improvements to public bus transport in rural and regional areas will continue in 2024 under the Minns Government with the first trials of zero emission buses in a regional NSW environment to start in the new year.

Also, 1550 additional vehicles will be fitted with the GPS tracking devices and passenger counting technology over the next two years, meaning more passengers will be able to access up-to-date journey information via a range of apps.

Better bus stops in regional areas will be delivered in the coming year with $1.6 million going to fund 150 more projects such as new bus stop shelters, better lighting, signage, and street furniture. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison:

“Traditionally, country areas are very car-centric, but improvements delivered by the Minns Government such as new routes, better timetables and user-friendly tools like real-time tracking are prompting a regional re-think about buses, with many reports of many local using buses in regional areas for the first time.

“Better public transport makes a measurable difference in the lives of many regional people and is a key social determinant of health, education, opportunity and jobs.

“We know of individual stories like a pensioner who was struggling with the cost of living and is now able to better afford a weekly trip out for a Sunday roast by taking the bus.

“Travelling in remote areas recently, I heard of Local public transport trials where isolated people have started moving around their communities for the first time in years.”

Fast facts: 2024

Since Labor came to office, we have delivered nearly 1000 new weekly public bus services including:

• 506 for Newcastle and the Hunter (June) - More Bus Services to Meet Growing Demand initiative.
• 77 in Griffith (September) - 16 Cities program.
• 269 in the Coffs Harbour region (October) - 16 Cities program.
• 112 in Dubbo (October) - 16 Cities program.
• 23 in Armidale (December) - 16 Cities program.

250 more buses fitted with GPS tracking devices and passenger counting technology, meaning passengers can track their bus in real time under the Transport Connected Bus program. This includes the Local Government Areas of Ballina, Byron, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Kyogle, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Lismore, Liverpool Plains, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle (remaining suburbs/routes where buses did not already have this technology), Port Stephens, Richmond Valley, Singleton, Tenterfield, Upper Hunter and Warrumbungles.

Expansion of the popular Snowy Mountains bus service trial to run seven days a week during this year’s entire ski season with weekly and season tickets offered for the first time. Close to 80,000 passenger journeys were made during the season with customer feedback overwhelmingly positive. 

Extension of three isolated community bus service trials until June 2024 - between Tumut and Wagga Wagga, Wyangala and Canberra, and Deniliquin to Echuca.

Extension of three far west trials until December 2024 – a Saturday bus service connecting Menindee and Wilcannia to Broken Hill, a Saturday service between Wentworth and Mildura and a travel pass for young people aged 15-21, allowing them free bus travel during school holidays.

Launch of a new two-year trial of a bus service between White Cliffs and Broken Hill.

475 projects funded for better, safer bus stops with $2.09 million allocated under the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Scheme.  

Fast facts: 2024

Launch of the first in a series of regional trials of zero emission buses as part of a $25 million multi-year program. The trials will test technology such as battery electric buses and coaches in a range of environments to understand which technology best suits regional and remote service needs.

1550 additional vehicles will be fitted with the GPS tracking devices and passenger counting technology under continuation of the Transport Connected Bus program over the next two years. In 2024, the program will roll out on about 380 buses in the North Coast, about 75 buses in the Southern Tablelands and Ulladulla about 280 buses in the South East and Tablelands, with other areas to be announced later in the year.

About 150 bus stop infrastructure improvement projects are to be funded, with $1.6 million going to successful projects under the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Scheme to be announced soon. In addition, another round of this scheme will also open on 1 July, meaning more money will go to local councils and community groups for improvements including new shelters, better lighting and signage and street furniture. 

MEDIA: Wendy Fitzgibbon | Minister Aitchison | 0408 427 540