Metrobus (Sydney)

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Metrobus
Sydney metrobus logo.png
Overview
OwnerTransport for NSW
LocaleSydney
Transit typeBus
Number of lines3
Operation
Began operation2008-2011
Operator(s)State Transit (former)
Transdev NSW
Hillsbus (former)
Transit Systems Sydney (former)
Metrobus blade stop sign at Chester Hill with the name of the stop and a red lower section indicating that the stop is served by Metrobus services

Metrobus (stylised as metrobus) is a high frequency, high capacity bus network in Sydney, Australia. Metrobus services run every 10 minutes during peak periods, 15 minutes during off-peak weekday periods, and 20 minutes on weekends, linking key commercial suburbs and centres throughout the city, with the intention of making timetables obsolete. All buses were initially painted in a distinctive red livery but recently, the standard Transport for NSW livery of blue and white has been adopted. All Metrobus services are wheelchair accessible. All route numbers were prefixed with an "M" followed by a two-digit number.

History[]

Hillsbus Volgren bodied Scania K280UB in July 2013
Transdev NSW Volgren bodied Volvo B7RLE in June 2015

The network originally operated along bus trunk routes through the inner suburbs, but passed through the CBD rather than terminating there. This reduced overcrowding on the trunk routes without needing to layover extra buses in the CBD. This concept was later diluted with the network's expansion to include long distance routes servicing major activity centres in outer suburbs.

The first route, M10 from Leichhardt to Kingsford, began operation on a 12-month trial basis on 12 October 2008.[1] During this period nine regular and six high-capacity buses with different seating arrangements were dedicated to the route.[2]

In March 2009 an expansion of the Metrobus network with the addition of four further routes serving the inner suburbs (M20, M30, M40, M50) was announced.[3]

In July 2010 it was announced a further eight new Metrobus routes were to be rolled out in 2011 to service suburbs in Sydney's west, north, north-west, south and south-west (M41, M52, M54, M60, M61, M90, M91, M92).[4] This saw Hillsbus and Veolia Transport (now Transdev NSW) become Metrobus operators.

Routes M10, M20, M30, M41 and M50 were included in the transfer of region 6 from State Transit to Transit Systems on 1 July 2018.[5]

During April and May 2019, as part of the opening of Sydney Metro, a number of Metrobus services were renumbered to 3-digit numerical routes, dropping the "M" prefix.[6] while two others were renumbered in February 2020.[7][8] As of 24 January 2021, only Transdev routes M90, M91 and M92 remain but the Metrobus signage has already been removed from all red Transdev buses with all buses now operating intermixed on all routes.

Operational history[9]
Date Commenced Ceased Notes
M10 12 October 2008 24 October 2020 withdrawn[8]
M20 26 October 2009 8 February 2020 renumbered 320[7]
M30 28 March 2010 8 February 2020 renumbered 430[7]
M40 18 July 2010 27 April 2019 renumbered 340[6]
M41 9 December 2010 27 April 2019 renumbered 410[6]
M50 31 October 2010 24 October 2020 withdrawn[8]
M52 8 August 2010 23 January 2021 withdrawn[10]
M54 10 October 2010 27 April 2019 renumbered 550[6]
M60 7 March 2011 25 May 2019 renumbered 600[6]
M61 20 December 2010 25 May 2019 absorbed into 610X[6]
M90 6 December 2010
M91 7 February 2011
M92 14 March 2011

Tickets & fares[]

All Metrobus services use the Opal card system to validate tickets. Metrobus routes M10, M20, M30, M40, M50 were full-time pre-pay only services since introduction and required passengers to purchase a ticket before boarding. M52, M54, M60 and M61 also became pre-pay during 2018 and 2019.

Routes[]

M10: Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction[]

M10
Overview
OperatorTransit Systems
GarageLeichardt
Tempe
Began service12 October 2008
Ended service24 October 2020
Former operator(s)State Transit
Route
StartLeichhardt
ViaCamperdown
Central station
Museum station
Taylor Square
University of New South Wales
Kingsford
EndMaroubra Junction
Service
LevelDaily

Route M10 ran from Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction via Parramatta Road and Anzac Parade, and commenced on 12 October 2008.[11][12] Route M10 connected with Sydney Trains stations at Central and Museum. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Broadway, Railway Square, Cleveland Street and Kingsford.[13]

On 28 December 2008, route 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, route M10 was extended to the corner of Norton and William Streets at Leichhardt Pioneer Park. On 26 October 2009, it was extended from Kingsford to Maroubra Junction. Route M10 originally proceeded up George Street before turning into Park and Elizabeth Streets. On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of CBD and South East Light Rail, it was altered to operate via Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue and Elizabeth Street in the Maroubra Junction direction, and via Elizabeth Street, Hay Street and Pitt Street in the Leichhardt direction.[14] Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5] On 9 February 2020, M10 was altered to run via Rawson Place, stopping at Haymarket light rail/bus stop to allow cross-platform transfer to and from L2 and L3 light rail services.[7]

It was originally proposed to abolish the City to Maroubra Junction section after the CBD and South East Light Rail was completed.[15] On 25 October 2020, route M10 was withdrawn, with the western portion replaced by additional 440 services and the eastern portion replaced by L3 light rail and other bus services.[8]

M20: Gore Hill to Botany[]

M20
Overview
OperatorTransit Systems
GarageLeichardt
Tempe
Began service26 October 2009
Ended service8 February 2020
Former operator(s)State Transit
Route
StartGore Hill
ViaNorth Sydney
Town Hall station
Central station
Green Square
Mascot
EndBotany
Service
LevelDaily

Route M20 ran from Gore Hill to Botany via the Pacific Highway, Town Hall station and Botany Road, and commenced on 26 October 2009.[12]

It connected with Sydney Trains stations at St Leonards, North Sydney, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. Route M20 originally terminated at Mascot, before being extended to Botany shops on 27 February 2011.[16] Short-working trips were later introduced between Wynyard and Zetland. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5] It was renumbered as route 320 on 9 February 2020 and cut back from Botany to Mascot.[7]

M30: Taronga Zoo to Sydenham[]

M30
Overview
OperatorTransit Systems
GarageLeichhardt
Tempe
Began service28 March 2010
Ended service8 February 2020
Former operator(s)State Transit
Route
StartTaronga Zoo
ViaMosman
Cremorne
Town Hall station
Central station
Sydney University
Newtown station
EndSydenham station
Service
LevelDaily

Route M30 ran from Taronga Zoo to Sydenham station via Military Road, Town Hall station and King Street, and commenced on 28 March 2010.[12]

It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Wynyard, Town Hall, Central, Newtown and Sydenham. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Neutral Bay Junction, Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. This service was originally planned to terminate at Enmore Park although Sydenham was chosen as a more appropriate terminus. Route M30 originally operated between Town Hall and Central stations via George Street.

On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via Park Street, Castlereagh Street, Hay Street and Pitt Street in the Sydenham direction, and via Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue, Elizabeth Street and Park Street in the Spit Junction direction.[14] Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5] It was renumbered as route 430 on 9 February 2020.[7] On 20 December 2020, route 430 was curtailed to operate between Sydenham station and Martin Place, with the rest of the route replaced by route 100 (operated by State Transit) between the Queen Victoria Building and Taronga Zoo.[17]

M40: Chatswood to Bondi Junction[]

M40
Overview
OperatorState Transit
GarageWaverley
Willoughby
Began service18 July 2010
Ended service27 April 2019
Route
StartChatswood station
ViaWilloughby
Town Hall station
Museum station
Taylor Square
Paddington
EndBondi Junction station
Service
LevelDaily

Route M40 ran from Chatswood station to Bondi Junction station via Willoughby Road, Wynyard station, Town Hall station and Oxford Street, and commenced on 18 July 2010.[12]

It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Chatswood, Wynyard, Town Hall, Museum and Bondi Junction stations. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Chatswood, Queen Victoria Building, Wynyard, and Bondi Junction. M40 was renumbered 340 on 28 April 2019.[6] On 4 October 2015, in conjunction with bus network changes to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via College Street and Park Street in both directions instead of via Liverpool Street and Elizabeth Street.[14] M40 was renumbered 340 on 28 April 2019 [6] and was withdrawn and replaced by route 120 on 24 January 2021.[10]

M41: Hurstville to Marsfield[]

M41
Overview
OperatorTransit Systems
GarageBurwood
Began service19 December 2010
Ended service27 April 2019
Former operator(s)State Transit
Route
StartHurstville
ViaBexley North station
Clemton Park
Campsie station
Burwood station
Concord Hospital
Rhodes station
Top Ryde City
Macquarie Centre
EndMarsfield
Service
LevelDaily

Route M41 ran from Hurstville to Marsfield via Bexley North, Clemton Park, Campsie, Burwood, Concord Hospital, Top Ryde City and Macquarie Centre, and commenced on 19 December 2010.[18] It connected passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Hurstville, Bexley North, Campsie, Burwood, Rhodes, Macquarie Park and Macquarie University. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Hurstville, Top Ryde City and Macquarie Centre. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5] M41 was renumbered 410 on 28 April 2019.[6]

M50: Drummoyne to Coogee[]

M50
Overview
OperatorTransit Systems
GarageLeichardt
Tempe
Began service31 October 2010
Ended service24 October 2020
Former operator(s)State Transit
Route
StartDrummoyne
ViaTown Hall station
Central station
Cleveland Street
Randwick
EndCoogee Beach
Service
LevelDaily

Route M50 ran from Drummoyne to Coogee Beach via Victoria Road, the Anzac Bridge, CBD, Fox Studios, Randwick Racecourse, Randwick shops and The Spot, and commenced on 31 October 2010. Route M50 connected with Sydney Trains stations at Town Hall, and Museum.[19] It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to the Moore Park area. This service was originally planned to terminate at Randwick although Coogee Beach was decided to be a more appropriate terminus.

Route M50 originally ran along Anazc Parade and High Street, passing through Kensington, University of New South Wales and the Prince of Wales Hospital. Due to construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail along High Street, in March 2017, route M50 was amended to operate via Alison and Belmore Roads.[20] Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.[5]

It was originally proposed to abolish the city to Coogee section when the CBD and South East Light Rail was completed.[15] On 24 October 2020, route M50 was withdrawn, with the western portion replaced by routes 502 to 504 and the eastern portion replaced by L2 light rail and other bus services.[8]

M52: Parramatta to Circular Quay[]

M52
Overview
OperatorState Transit
GarageRyde
Began service8 August 2010
Ended service23 January 2021
PredecessorsRoute L20
Route
StartParramatta station
ViaRydalmere
Top Ryde City
Gladesville
Drummoyne
Town Hall station
Martin Place station
EndCircular Quay
Service
LevelDaily

Route M52 runs from Parramatta to Circular Quay via Victoria Road, Top Ryde City, Town Hall station and commenced on 8 August 2010. It replaced route L20 and is supplemented by the 520 route outside of M52 operating hours.

Route M52 connects passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, West Ryde, Town Hall, St James and Circular Quay. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Top Ryde, Queen Victoria Building and Circular Quay. Route M52 originally proceeded down George Street. On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via Park and Elizabeth Streets instead of George Street.[14] On 24 January 2021, M52 was withdrawn and replaced by routes 500X and 501.[10]

M54: Parramatta to Macquarie Park[]

M54
Overview
OperatorState Transit
GarageRyde
Began service10 October 2010
Ended service27 April 2019
PredecessorsRoute 548
Night-timeYes
Route
StartParramatta station
ViaCarlingford station
Epping station
Macquarie University station
EndMacquarie Park
Service
LevelDaily

Route M54 ran from Parramatta station to Macquarie Park via Carlingford and Epping, and commenced on 10 October 2010. Route M54 replaced route 548, which was formerly Harris Park Transport route 624.

It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Carlingford, Epping, Macquarie University, and Macquarie Park. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Epping, and Macquarie Centre. On 5 June 2016, route M54 was extended to operate extra half-hourly services nightly between 8:00pm and midnight. On 6 May 2018, route M54 was extended to operate overnight services at an hourly frequency seven nights a week, thus becoming a 24-hour service. [5] M54 was renumbered 550 on 28 April 2019.[6]

M60: Parramatta to Hornsby[]

M60
Overview
OperatorHillsbus
Began service7 March 2011
Ended service25 May 2019
PredecessorsRoute 600
Route
StartParramatta station
ViaBaulkham Hills
Castle Hill
Cherrybrook
Pennant Hills station
Thornleigh
Normanhurst
Waitara
EndHornsby
Service
LevelDaily

Route M60 ran from Parramatta station to Hornsby via Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh and Normanhurst, and commenced on 7 March 2011.[21]

It connected with Parramatta, Pennant Hills and Hornsby Sydney Trains stations and other bus services at major interchanges Parramatta, Castle Hill and Hornsby. At commencement, M60 replaced daytime 600 services between Parramatta and Castle Hill which operated early morning and late night and one in the afternoon on weekdays and some limited 600 services between Parramatta and Cherrybrook. Other remaining 600 services were replaced on 3 June 2018[22] M60 was renumbered back to 600 on 26 May 2019.[6]

M61: Castle Hill to Queen Victoria Building[]

M61
Overview
OperatorHillsbus
Began service20 December 2010
Ended service25 May 2019
PredecessorsRoute 610 (some trips)
Route 610X (some trips)
Route
StartCastle Hill
ViaBaulkham Hills
M2 Motorway
EndQueen Victoria Building
Service
LevelDaily with all night on Fridays and Saturdays

Route M61 ran from Castle Hill to the Queen Victoria Building via Baulkham Hills and the M2 Motorway and complemented the existing 610X service. It commenced on 20 December 2010.[23]

It allowed passengers to connect with services to Kellyville, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Bella Vista and Stanhope Gardens at bus stops along the M2 Motorway, as well as the Castle Hill Interchange. Route M61 originally continued south of the Queen Victoria Building to Railway Square via George Street until 4 October 2015 when it was curtailed to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail.[14] In 2017, 610X services that ran between Castle Hill and City only were renumbered M61. M61 ceased operating on 26 May 2019 with all services renumbered 610X.[6]

M90: Burwood to Liverpool[]

M90
Overview
OperatorTransdev NSW
Began service6 December 2010
PredecessorsRoute 900
Route
StartWestfield Burwood
ViaStrathfield station
Chullora
Bankstown station
Milperra
Moorebank
EndLiverpool
Service
LevelDaily

Route M90 runs from Westfield Burwood to Liverpool station via Strathfield, Chullora, Greenacre, Bankstown, Milperra and Moorebank, and commenced on 6 December 2010.[24] Route M90 replaced the 900 service and connects with Sydney Trains stations at Burwood, Strathfield, Bankstown, and Liverpool.[25]

M91: Parramatta to Hurstville[]

M91
Overview
OperatorTransdev NSW
Began service7 February 2011
PredecessorsRoute 910
Route 948
Route
StartParramatta station
ViaGranville station
Chester Hill
Yagoona
Bankstown station
Padstow station
Peakhurst
Penshurst
EndHurstville
Service
LevelDaily

Route M91 runs from Parramatta to Hurstville via Granville, Chester Hill, Yagoona, Bankstown, Padstow, Peakhurst and Penshurst, and commenced on 7 February 2011.[24] Route M91 replaced the 910 and 948 services and connects with Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Granville, Chester Hill, Yagoona, Bankstown, Padstow, and Hurstville.

M92: Parramatta to Sutherland[]

M92
Overview
OperatorTransdev NSW
Began service14 March 2011
Route
StartParramatta station
ViaRosehill station
Lidcombe station
Bankstown station
Padstow
EndSutherland station
Service
LevelDaily

Route M92 runs from Parramatta station to Sutherland via Lidcombe, Bankstown, Padstow and Menai and began 14 March 2011, it was the last Metrobus route launched.[24] it connects with the Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Rosehill, Lidcombe, Bankstown, Padstow and Sutherland. Until December 2018, the route largely duplicated route 962 between Bankstown and Sutherland, with the difference that M92 bypasses Illawong and Menai Marketplace. The duplication ended with the rerouting of 962 to East Hills instead of Bankstown in December 2018.

Fleet[]

When operations commenced, services were operated by dedicated fleets in a red livery. As new buses have been delivered these have been painted in Transport for NSW's white and blue livery.

References[]

  1. ^ Quarterly Performance Information October-December 2012 State Transit
  2. ^ "All aboard: super-size buses will leave others standing" Sydney Morning Herald 16 August 2007
  3. ^ Expansion of Metrobus Network Across Sydney Office of the Premier of New South Wales 25 March 2009
  4. ^ "Boost for Sydney's red bus network" Sydney Morning Herald 20 July 2010
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Transit Systems Boosts Inner West Bus Services Transport for NSW 13 February 2018
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Service adjustments 2019". Transport Info NSW. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Bus service changes for the Inner West and Northern Beaches". Transport Info NSW. 26 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Inner West bus service changes". Transport Info NSW. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Annual Report for year ended 30 June 2011" (PDF). Department of Transport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 April 2016.
  10. ^ a b c Additional bus services for North West Sydney and lower North Shore 3 December 2020
  11. ^ Metrobus and Service Changes Australian Bus Panorama issue 24/4 December 2008 page 20
  12. ^ a b c d "Metrobus Developments: Australian Bus issue 41 September 2010 page 16
  13. ^ M10 timetable Transport for NSW 12 October 2020
  14. ^ a b c d e "A new CBD bus network" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
  15. ^ a b "CSELR-Environmental-Impact-Statement Volume 2: Technical Papers 1 & 2" (PDF). Transport for NSW. 14 November 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  16. ^ Metrobus M20 extended to Botany Shops from 27 February 2011 NSW Transport[dead link]
  17. ^ Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus service improvements Transport for NSW 9 October 2020
  18. ^ M41 – Hurstville to Macquarie Park starts Sunday, 19 December NSW Transport
  19. ^ M50 timetable Transport for NSW 12 October 2020
  20. ^ South East bus changes March 2017, Transport for NSW
  21. ^ Metrobus M60 ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
  22. ^ Western Sydney bus service improvements Transport for NSW
  23. ^ Metrobus M61 ComfortDelGro Cabcharge
  24. ^ a b c Metrobus Transdev NSW
  25. ^ Timelines - Sydney Region Route Number System Sydney Private Bus Routes

External links[]

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