User:Mqst north/Inner City

The local bus routes of inner Sydney connect suburban destinations with major transport nodes in the Inner West, Lower North Shore, Northern Beaches, Northern Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Local routes form one of three tiers in Sydney's bus network, complementing intermediate ("suburban") and strategic ("rapid") routes between major centres.

The local route network ensures that 90% of Sydneysiders are within 400 metres of a bus stop during daylight hours. Transport for New South Wales, the state government agency that manages public transport, divides inner Sydney into four Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract regions: 6, 7, 8 and 9. Contracts to operate services in these regions are held by the State Transit Authority. Services in these regions evolved from the former tram network, which operated from 1861 until 1961.

Region 6: Inner West
Region 6 covers the Inner West of Sydney, including the Sydney central business district and the major centres of Burwood, Campsie, Sydney Olympic Park and Rhodes. Region 6 was defined by the then Ministry of Transport in 2005 and the corresponding metropolitan bus service contract has been held by State Transit since that time. All Region 6 services are classified as "local" with the exception of suburban routes 400 and 418, and rapid route 461.

Region 6 services share Strathfield Station interchange with Region 5 services.

State Transit operates from four depots in the region: Burwood, Leichhardt, Kingsgrove and Tempe.

Together, Region 6 routes accounted for more than 47.3 million passenger journeys in the 12 months to October 2017. Over the same period, State Transit failed to meet its on-time running benchmark of 95% in all but two months.

Franchising
Since the then Department of Government Transport started bus operations on 25 December 1932, not one of the government-operated bus regions in the inner city had gone to competitive tender. Following persistently poor reliability in Region 6, Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced that this contract would be opened to the market for the first time. The opposition Australian Labor Party and Rail, Tram and Bus Union opposed the open tender, characterising it as a "betrayal" and a "sell-off".

Region 7: Lower North Shore and Northern Suburbs
Region 7 covers the Northern Suburbs and parts of the lower North Shore of Sydney, including the Sydney central business district and the major centres of Parramatta, Chatswood, Epping, Macquarie Park and St Leonards. Region 7 was defined by the then Ministry of Transport in 2005 and the corresponding metropolitan bus service contract has been held by State Transit since that time. All Region 7 services are classified as "local" with the exception of suburban route 525 and rapid routes M52, M41 and M54.

Region 7 services share Parramatta Station interchange with Region 3, 4 and 13 services. Region 7 services share Chatswood Station interchange with Region 12 and 14 services.

State Transit operates from two depots in the region: Ryde and Willoughby.

Together, Region 7 routes accounted for more than 29.4 million passenger journeys in the 12 months to October 2017. Over the same period, State Transit failed to meet its on-time running benchmark of 95% in all but one month, making this one of Sydney’s least reliable bus regions.

Region 8: Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches
Region 8 covers the Northern Beaches and parts of the lower North Shore of Sydney, including the Sydney central business district and the major centres of Brookvale–Dee Why, Manly and Mona Vale. Region 8 was defined by the then Ministry of Transport in 2005 and the corresponding metropolitan bus service contract has been held by State Transit since that time. All Region 8 services are classified as "local" with the exception of suburban route 136, and rapid routes B1 and 391–9.

State Transit operates from three depots in the region: Brookvale, Mona Vale and North Sydney.

Together, Region 8 routes accounted for more than 25.9 million passenger journeys in the 12 months to October 2017. Over the same period, State Transit failed to meet its on-time running benchmark of 95% in all but three months.

Region 9: Eastern Suburbs
Region 9 covers the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, including the Sydney central business district and the major centres of Bondi Junction, Eastgardens–Maroubra Junction, Green Square–Mascot, Randwick and Port Botany. Region 9 was defined by the then Ministry of Transport in 2005 and the corresponding metropolitan bus service contract has been held by State Transit since that time. All Region 9 services are classified as "local" with the exception of suburban route 400 and rapid route 333.

State Transit operates from three depots in the region: Port Botany, Randwick and Waverley.

Together, Region 9 routes accounted for more than 72.3 million passenger journeys in the 12 months to October 2017, the highest patronage of any region. Over the same period, State Transit failed to meet its on-time running benchmark of 95% in all but one month, making this one of Sydney’s least reliable bus regions.

Inner West
Region 6 covers Sydney's Inner West and is operated by State Transit. Route numbers in this area are generally within the series 400-99.

Services in the Inner West district and part of the St George area of Sydney are numbered in the 400 series, and connect these suburbs and the central business district. There are 70 routes numbered 400 through 495. Express and limited-stops services are also provided. Much of the network in the Inner West is modelled on Sydney's former tram network, closed in 1961 in favour of a commuter bus system. Bus-rail interchanges are provided at Hurstville station, Campsie Station, Rockdale station, Burwood Station and Strathfield station. Bus-only lanes are in operation on Parramatta Road from Leichhardt to Broadway.

Routes 400 and 410 are Metroline services between Burwood, Campsie, Rockdale, Sydney Airport, Eastgardens, the University Of New South Wales, Randwick Jn and Bondi Jn

The 418 service was merged with the 357 service in October 2013, which now links Burwood and Bondi Junction via Tempe and Randwick Jn

In 2009, changes were implemented introducing new routes 473, 490, 491, 493 to replace the discontinued routes of 411, 471, 472 and 499

M10 runs from Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction via Parramatta Road and Anzac Parade, and commenced on 12 October 2008. The M10 Metrobus service connects with Sydney Trains stations at Central and Museum. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Broadway, Railway Square, Cleveland Street, and Kingsford.

On 28 December 2008, the M10 was curtailed to Leichhardt Town Hall no longer operating to MarketPlace due to issues raised by Leichhardt Council regarding buses laying over in Lords Road. On 14 November 2010 the M10 was extended to the corner of Norton and William Streets at Leichhardt Pioneer Park. On 26 October 2009, the M10 was extended from Kingsford to Maroubra Junction.

Since the Department of Government Transport (DGT) had started bus operations on 25 December 1932, not one of the government-operated bus regions in the inner city had gone to competitive tender. Following persistently poor reliability in region 6, Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced that this region would be subject to tender for the first time.

Northern Suburbs
Region 7 covers Sydney's Northern District and part of the lower North Shore and is operated by State Transit. Route numbers in this area are generally within the series 200-99 or 500-99.

Services connecting Sydney's Northern Suburbs and Lower & Mid North Shore regions with the central business district are numbered in the 200 series. There are 62 routes, numbered 200 through 299. Express and limited-stops services are also provided. Much of the network is modelled on Sydney's former tram network, closed in 1961 in favour of a commuter bus system. 200 series services are operated by State Transit.

The major bus interchanges in this region are located at Chatswood Interchange, part of Chatswood railway station, Lane Cove, Macquarie Centre, Gordon, Epping, and stands in Blue Street, Miller Street and the Pacific Highway in North Sydney.

In general, citybound 200 series buses terminate in the northern half of the CBD at the bus/rail interchange above Wynyard station and at Erskine Street and King Street Wharf. In general, 200 series buses operate from Sydney Buses depots at Willoughby (M runs), North Sydney (N runs) and Ryde (Y runs); and the Forest Coach Lines depot at Terrey Hills. Route 200 operates from Waverley depot (W runs) near the line's southern terminus in the Eastern Suburbs. Bus-only lanes have been installed on the Warringah Freeway, Epping Road, North Sydney and Military Road, Neutral Bay as well as on a southbound lane of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Bus interchanges are located at Macquarie Centre, Chatswood, West Ryde, Epping, Eastwood, Top Ryde and Parramatta. Victoria Road, the key link between Ryde and the city, has Transit Lanes in both directions. A proposal to change these to bus-only lanes is under consideration.

Region 7 includes the operations and fleets of Gladesville based North & Western Bus Lines and Parramatta Ryde Bus Service acquired by the NSW Government in 2000.

Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches
Region 8's Route 144 has the distinction of being the first DGT-operated bus route in Sydney. Services commenced between Manly Wharf and Cremorne Junction on 25 December 1932, connecting with tram services at Cremorne Junction. Buses were initially hired from White Transit Company at Naremburn. The service was an instant success with over 2000 passengers carried on the first day alone. In October 1931, government legislation prevented the operation of private bus services in competition with government owned tram services. As private operators could not survive as feeders only to the trams and trains, they ceased operation. This allowed the government to lease excess stock from the private operators when services began from 1932. By the 1960s, the 144 had been extended to St Leonards, and later to Chatswood.

Region 8 is home to route L90 between Palm Beach and Wynyard Station – at 44 kilometres, the longest route operated by State Transit and among the longest in Sydney.

Region 8 covers Sydney's Northern Beaches and part of the lower North Shore and is operated by State Transit. Route numbers in this area are generally within the series 100-299.

Sydney Buses depots are located at Brookvale (V runs), Mona Vale (F runs), North Sydney (N runs) and Willoughby (M runs). Bus-only lanes are in operation at Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation, Balgowlah and Manly Road, Balgowlah.

Route 144 has the distinction of being the first government-operated bus route in Sydney. Services commenced between Manly Wharf and Cremorne Junction on 25 December 1932, connecting with tram services at Cremorne Junction. Buses were initially hired from White Transit Company at Naremburn. The service was an instant success with over 2000 passengers carried on the first day alone. In October 1931, government legislation prevented the operation of private bus services in competition with government owned tram services. As private operators could not survive as feeders only to the trams and trains, they ceased operation. This allowed the government to lease excess stock from the private operators when services began from 1932. By the 1960s, the 144 had been extended to St Leonards, and later to Chatswood.

Region 8 is also home to route L90 between Palm Beach and Wynyard Station – at 44 kilometres, the longest route operated by State Transit and among the longest in Sydney.

On 2 August 2009, State Transit implemented changes on this network including direct services Between Cromer Heights/War Veterans' Home, and the City, new services to Elanora Heights, an extension to Warringah Mall for Route 135, and the withdrawal of some services like routes 146, 152, 172, E72, E73, & 193 plus more changes to various routes within the region.

From 26 November 2017, the B-Line bus rapid transit network will commence operation, improving bus services across the Northern Beaches and the A8-Pittwater Road/Military Road corridor and necessitating a region-wide overhaul of the bus network.

Eastern Suburbs
Region 9 covers Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and is operated by State Transit.

Bus routes in Sydney's eastern suburbs are numbered in the 300 series. Seventy-one routes are numbered 301 through 399, all of which are operated by State Transit. Express and limited-stops services are also provided numbered in the X and L series. Much of the network is modelled on Sydney's former tram network which closed in 1961 in favour of a commuter bus system. Given their high density, Sydney's eastern suburbs have a significant public transport infrastructure in place. A bus-only roadway uses the old tramway alignment to speed buses through Moore Park and Centennial Park. A bus-only tunnel at Edgecliff gives buses priority access from New South Head Road to the terminal above the railway station. Bus-only lanes are in place on Anzac Parade and Oxford Street, two of the region's main roads. Buses run to most major locations such as Bondi Beach, Bondi Jn, Botany, Coogee Beach, Eastgardens and Maroubra Jn.

State Transit maintains two major bus interchanges, located above Edgecliff railway station and Bondi Junction railway station. Another interchange is located within the Westfield Eastgardens shopping centre complex in Pagewood. Other significant nodes include Randwick Junction, Kingsford Nine Ways, Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach and the University of New South Wales. Bus depots serving the area are located at Port Botany (P runs), Randwick (R runs) and Waverley (W runs).

State Transit previously operated the Airport Express bus (numbered 300) in bright green and gold livery between the city and Sydney Airport. The service was withdrawn after the opening of the Airport rail link to encourage passengers to use the new rail line, given that the NSW government was obliged to pay compensation to the Airport Link Company if patronage targets were not met.

In the Eastern Region there are many high profile services that operate 24/7 to many significant nodes and provide late night transport, they are 373 - Coogee Beach via Moore Park & Randwick, 380 - North Bondi via Paddington & Bondi Jn and 394 - La Perouse via Moore Park & Maroubra Jn. They all operate from Circular Quay and Oxford St at 10-minute frequencies during the day and hourly frequencies at night, the last buses from Central Station which operate every 30 mins are at around 00:30, they are 339 - Clovelly via Moore Park & Centennial Park and 374 - Coogee via Moore Park & Bream St. There are 4 Metrobus routes in this area which are the M10 - Maroubra Jn - Leichhardt via Moore Park and Parramatta Rd, M20 - Botany and Gore Hill via Central and Sydney Harbour Bridge, M40 - Bondi Jn - Chatswood via Paddington and Wynyard and M50 Coogee Beach - Drummoyne Oval via Central and Rozelle. Metrobus services operate from 6am - 8:30 pm and at a 15 frequency daily using bright red articulated buses.

The 370 linking Coogee Beach and Leichhardt via Newtown, Glebe and the universities of New South Wales and Sydney, 400 linking Bondi Jn and Burwood via Randwick, Sydney Airport and Rockdale, 418 linking Bondi Jn and Burwood via Randwick, Sydenham and Ashbury are the non - Metrobus cross country routes that link many parts of inner Sydney.

In 2008, State Transit released a proposal to reorganise some bus routes around the Green Square area, involving routes 301, 302, 303, 311, 343, X43, 357, & 359, and the results were that there were to be some changes to some of those services but the biggest change is that Route 348 has now been altered to operate a Weekday Daytime service and at the same time, extended to Wolli Creek via Rosebery.

In 2013 the state government announced some major changes proposed for the bus routes around Randwick and Kingsford following the plan to build a light rail line by 2020. This included the discontinuation of some services (M10, M50, 373, 376, 395 & 396) and re-routing of some other services to Randwick, Kensington or Edgecliff for heavy rail (374, L94). The only Anzac Parade services to the city will run to Central from Coogee and Clovelly (339, 372). All non-city services will remain as well as peak-hour express services.