Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts

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The Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts are contracts issued by the Government of New South Wales to metropolitan bus operators in Sydney, Australia. Since 2005, the government has moved from individual contracts with operators to larger contract regions, leading to the consolidation of bus operators.

History[]

State Transit Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B7RLE at Circular Quay in June 2014 in Transport for NSW livery
Forest Coach Lines Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B7RLE at Sydney Olympic Park in March 2013 in its green version of Transport for NSW's livery

In February 2004 the Unsworth Review of Bus Services conducted by former Transport Minister and Premier Barrie Unsworth, reported its findings to the Carr Government, recommending that the number of contract areas that existed in Sydney be reduced from 87 to 15 with a lead entity identified for each region to negotiate a contract.[1] This was adopted with the first seven-year performance based contract signed in January 2005. By June 2005, eight had been signed.[2] In some cases the existing operators formed joint venture companies to have a single contract with the government while in other regions there were some takeovers.

The contracts resulted in some consolidation of operators. Harris Park Transport and Moores Tours decided to cease operating at short notice in December 2004.[3] Some of Baxter's Bus Lines routes passed to Connex and Transit First in January 2005.[4] Further consolidation took place after the contracts commenced with Baxter's selling its remaining routes to Westbus in September 2006, Transit First selling out to Connex in February 2007.[5][6] Veolia (formerly Connex), who operated in regions 10 and 13, took over region 11 operators Crowthers in January 2009 and Caringbah Bus Service in October 2011.[7][8] The two takeovers resulted in the merger of regions 10 and 11 to form an expanded region 10, reducing the total number of regions to fourteen.

With the contracts coming up for renewal and following a change in government, the O'Farrell Government decided to put the provision of the services out to competitive tender.[9][10][11] Transdev NSW was able to negotiate a direct award for regions 10 and 13 after agreeing to provide access to its bus and depot assets at the end of the contracts.[12] The regions operated by State Transit were not included at this stage, however region 6 was tendered out from July 2018.[13]

Under the 2005 contracts, all new buses were purchased by the government and leased to the operators. As a result, when regions have changed hands, all of the post 2005 built buses have remained with the region, with the older buses retained by the outgoing operators.

2020–2023 tenders[]

With the exception of region 6, the government announced in October 2019 that the contracts for the other thirteen regions will be put out to competitive tender by 2022.[14] These contracts were originally due to expire in 2021 and 2022.

The first three regions to be put out to tender were the three remaining State Transit regions 7 to 9. Tenders for Region 8 opened in June 2020 and closed on 30 September 2020, with Keolis Downer announced as the successful tenderer in May 2021.[15][16] Tenders for Region 7 opened in August 2020 and closed on 18 December 2020, with Busways announced as the successful tenderer in July 2021.[17][18] Tenders for Region 9 opened in November 2020.[19] The three regions will be or are proposed to be transitioned to other operators as follows:

  • Region 7 (North West) in January 2022
  • Region 8 (Northern Beaches) in October 2021
  • Region 9 (East) from November 2021 to April 2022 (tentative)[20]

Between December 2021 and August 2022, the remaining 10 regions will be put out to tender in three tranches:[21]

  • Tranche 1: Regions 4, 12 and 14. Contracts for regions 12 and 14 can be consolidated in a single bid. Tenders will open between December 2021 and February 2022, and contracts are expected to be awarded in June 2022.
  • Tranche 2: Regions 3, 5, 10 and 13. Any combination of the four contracts can be consolidated in a single bid. Tenders will open between March and May 2022, and contracts are expected to be awarded in December 2022.
  • Tranche 3: Regions 1, 2 and 15. Tenders will open between June and August 2022, and contracts are expected to be awarded in February 2023

Livery[]

A requirement of the contracts is that operators adopt a white and two blues livery as prescribed by Transport for NSW, this was implemented from 2010. Forest Coach Lines' 2005 contract did not require their buses to be repainted blue, hence the livery applied to their buses saw the blue replaced with green. This loophole was closed when the region was tendered in 2012.[22]

Current contracts[]

Since 2009, there are 14 contract regions in Sydney, each of which is tied to a geographical area. Current contracts commenced prior to 2018 operate for five years, with an option to extend for a further three years. Contracts commenced and awarded since 2018 are for an eight year period.[23]

Region Current operators Start date of
current contract		 Award method End date of
current contract (if known)
1 Busways 6 October 2013 Open tender 5 October 2021[24]
2 Interline Bus Services 1 June 2014 Open tender
3 Transit Systems 13 October 2013 Open tender 12 October 2021[25]
4 Hillsbus 1 August 2014 Open tender
5 Punchbowl Bus Company 1 July 2014 Open tender
6 Transit Systems 1 July 2018 Open tender 30 June 2026[26]
7 State Transit 1 July 2017[27] Direct award 8 January 2022[18]
8 State Transit 1 July 2017[27] Direct award 30 October 2021[28]
9 State Transit 1 July 2017[27] Direct award 30 June 2022
10 Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service
Transdev NSW 		1 January 2013 Direct award 31 December 2022[29]
12 Transdev NSW 1 June 2013 Open tender 30 May 2021[30]
13 Transdev NSW 1 May 2013 Direct award 30 April 2023[31]
14 Forest Coach Lines 1 April 2013 Open tender 31 March 2021[32]
15 Busabout 1 June 2014 Open tender

Region details[]

Region 1[]

Region 1 covers the outer western suburbs between Blacktown, Penrith, Windsor and Richmond. It also operated route 740 services via the M2 Hills Motorway to Macquarie Centre, which ceased in May 2019.[33][34][35]

From 2005, services were operated by the Area 1 Management Company consortium of incumbent operators Busways, Hawkesbury Valley Buses and Westbus. Following a competitive tendering process, on 6 October 2013 Busways took over all services in the region in its own right.[9][10][23][36][37][38]

Region 2[]

Region 2 covers the south western suburbs between Liverpool, Ingleburn and Hoxton Park. Other principal suburbs are Bringelly and Glenfield.[33][39] From 2005, services were operated by the Area 2 Management Company consortium of incumbent operators Busabout and Interline. Following a competitive tendering process, on 1 June 2014 Interline took over all services in the region in its own right.[40][41]

Region 3[]

Region 3 covers the south western suburbs between Parramatta, Liverpool and Bonnyrigg. Other principal suburbs are Cabramatta, Fairfield and Wetherill Park.[33][42]

From 2005, services were operated by the Area 3 Management Company consortium of incumbent operators Baxter's Bus Lines, Busabout, Hopkinsons, Metro-link and Westbus which operated all routes except Liverpool-Parramatta T-way route T80 which was operated by Western Sydney Buses. Baxter's sold its routes to Westbus in September 2006.[5][9][10][43]

Following a competitive tendering process, on 13 October 2013 Transit Systems took over the operation of the region.[23][37]

Region 4[]

Region 4 covers The Hills district including Parramatta, Pennant Hills, Castle Hill and Rouse Hill. Other principal suburbs are Dural, Blacktown and Baulkham Hills. It also operates services via the M2 Hills Motorway to Macquarie Centre, Chatswood, Milsons Point and the Sydney CBD.[33][44]

Since 2005, services have been operated by Hillsbus.[40] Hillsbus successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 August 2014.[45]

Following the short notice cessation of operations by Harris Park Transport, its routes in the Hills District were taken over by Hillsbus on 20 December 2004, then transferred to Sydney Buses as part of region 7 on 28 January 2005, with six routes returning to region 4 on 25 September 2005.[46][47]

Region 5[]

Region 5 covers the south western suburbs between Strathfield, Bankstown and Hurstville. Other principal suburbs are Lakemba, Punchbowl, Roselands and Mortdale. It also operates services to Strathfield and Sydney Olympic Park.[33][48]

Harris Park Transport routes operated in the St George area and Moore's Tours routes were transferred to Punchbowl Bus Co on 20 December 2004.[49][50]

From 2005, services were operated by incumbents Pleasure Tours and Punchbowl Bus Company. The Pleasure Tours routes were taken over by Punchbowl Bus Co on 10 July 2005.[40][49][50] Punchbowl Bus Co successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 July 2014.[23][51]

Region 6[]

Region 6 covers the Inner West and southern suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD, Chatswood, Taronga Zoo, Westfield Eastgardens, Bondi Junction, Hurstville and Miranda. Principal suburbs are Ashfield, Burwood, Campsie, Leichhardt, Rockdale and Sydney Olympic Park. The region operates out of Burwood, Kingsgrove, Leichhardt and Tempe depots.[33][52]

From 2005, the region was operated by State Transit. The contract was renewed 1 July 2013 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[53]

In May 2017, the government announced the operation of region 6 would be contracted out to the private sector.[54][55] The contract was awarded to Transit Systems with operations commencing on 1 July 2018.[56][57]

Region 7[]

Region 7 covers the north western suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD. Principal suburbs are Chatswood, Epping, Macquarie Park, North Sydney, Ryde and Parramatta. The region operates out of Ryde depot and Willoughby depot.[33][58]

From 2005, the region has been operated by State Transit. State Transit permanently took control of a few former Harris Park Transport services in September 2005, and the region expanded to cover the whole of Carlingford, Epping and include North Rocks, West Pennant Hills and Beecroft for the first time.

The contract was renewed on 1 July 2013, and again on 1 July 2017 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[53][27] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2020 and was awarded to Busways. with operations to commence on 9 January 2022.[18]

Region 8[]

Region 8 covers the lower North Shore and Northern Beaches with services extending to the Sydney CBD. Principal suburbs are Brookvale, Chatswood, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney and Palm Beach. The region operates out of Brookvale, Mona Vale, North Sydney depots.[33][59]

From 2005, services have been operated by State Transit. The contract was renewed on 1 July 2013, and again on 1 July 2017 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[53][27] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2020 and was awarded to Keolis Downer, with operations to commence on 31 October 2021.[16][28]

Region 9[]

Region 9 covers the Eastern Suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD. and Leichhardt. Principal suburbs are Bondi Junction, Botany, Maroubra, Mascot, Randwick and Surry Hills. The region operates out of Port Botany, Randwick and Waverley depots.[33][60]

Since 2005, services have been operated by State Transit. The contract was renewed on 1 July 2013, and again on 1 July 2017 for five years without a competitive tendering process.[53][27]

Region 10[]

Region 10 initially covered the south western suburbs between Bankstown, Sutherland and Engadine. Other principal suburbs are Hurstville, Menai, and Miranda. It also operates services to Burwood, Parramatta and Liverpool.[33][61] Since 2005, it has been operated by incumbent operator Connex that was later rebranded Veolia Transport, Veolia Transdev then Transdev NSW.

Region 11 was absorbed into Region 10 in September 2009.[33] Region 10 then covered all of the Sutherland Shire. Caringbah Bus Service's routes were taken over by Veolia in October 2011.[8]

On 1 January 2013, Transdev NSW commenced a new contract that was awarded without a competitive tendering process. Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service continue to operate route 989 from Bundeena as a subcontractor to Transdev.[12][62][63]

Region 11[]

Region 11 covered the Miranda, Cronulla, Bundeena area in the Sutherland Shire. Other principal suburbs were Caringbah and Kurnell.[33][64]

From 2005, services were operated by incumbent operators Caringbah Bus Service, Crowthers and Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service. Crowthers' routes were taken over by Veolia Transport on 1 January 2009.[7] Region 11 was absorbed into Region 10 on 21 September 2009.[33][65]

Region 12[]

Region 12 covers the Upper North Shore and Hornsby to Hawkesbury River area with a limited peak hour service extending to the Sydney CBD. Principal suburbs are Chatswood, Gordon, Hornsby, Berowra and Brooklyn.[33][66]

From 2005, services were operated by Shorelink, which was rebranded TransdevTSL Shorelink in 2008 [67] and then Transdev Shorelink in 2010.[9][10][68]

Following the merger of Transdev and Veolia Transport, Transdev Shorelink was merged into Transdev NSW. It successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 June 2013.[23][37]

Region 13[]

Region 13 covers the south western suburbs between Lidcombe, Granville, Bankstown and Liverpool. Other principal suburbs are Burwood and Parramatta.[33][69]

Baxter's Bus Lines' routes in region 13 were transferred to Connex and Transit First on 1 January 2005.[4][70]

From 2005, services were operated by incumbent operators Connex (that was later rebranded Veolia Transport, Veolia Transdev then Transdev NSW) and Transit First. In February 2007. Connex purchased Transit First.[6]

On 1 May 2013, Transdev NSW commenced a new contract that was awarded without a competitive tendering process.[12][62][71]

Region 14[]

Region 14 covers the Forest district including Chatswood, Belrose, Frenchs Forest, Terrey Hills, St Ives and Gordon. It also operates services to the Sydney CBD.[33][72]

Since 2005, the region been operated by Forest Coach Lines.[9][10][68] It successfully bid to retain the region with a new contract commencing on 1 April 2013.[23][37]

Region 15[]

Region 15 covers the south western suburbs between Campbelltown and Camden . Other principal suburbs are Narellan and Macarthur. It also operates services to Wollongong.[33][73]

From 2005, the region was operated by Busways. Following a competitive tendering process, on 1 June 2014 Busabout took over the operation of the region.[40][74][75]

Patronage[]

Patronage by Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contract region from 2017-2020
Annual Patronage per Region from 2017 to 2020 [76]
Rank Region Operator 2017 2018 2019 2020 [a] Total
 % Change
2017-19 		Total
 % Change
2019-20[a]
1 9 State Transit 71,684,642 68,363,589 67,869,614 35,720,364 -5.32% -47.37%
2 6 Transit Systems 48,246,291 55,169,998 60,451,349 33,740,937 +25.30% -44.18%
3 7 State Transit 29,555,761 31,614,292 34,263,448 18,706,534 +15.93% -45.40%
4 8 State Transit 26,159,684 28,983,479 30,943,722 18,285,044 +18.29% -40.91%
5 4 Hillsbus 22,147,493 24,708,501 24,554,212 12,111,689 +10.87% -50.67%
6 1 Busways Western Sydney 12,139,979 13,236,871 13,816,261 8,838,952 +13.81% -36.03%
7 3 Transit Systems 12,173,957 12,879,292 13,245,189 8,128,237 +8.80% -38.63%
8 13 Transdev NSW 8,364,105 8,873,353 9,204,134 5,907,729 +10.04% -17.91%
9 10 Transdev NSW and
Maianbar Bundeena Bus Service		 7,777,172 8,196,536 8,672,375 5,549,277 +11.51% -35.81%
10 14 Forest Coach Lines 4,851,299 5,169,614 5,632,071 3,360,149 +16.09% -40.34%
11 2 Interline Bus Service 3,664,100 3,928,593 4,432,147 2,797,068 +20.96% -36.89%
12 5 Punchbowl Bus Company 3,538,852 3,850,045 4,134,186 2,758,716 +16.82% -33.27%
13 12 Transdev NSW 3,412,400 3,601,886 3,997,576 2,335,640 +17.15% -41.57%
14 15 Busabout 3,075,445 3,876,003 3,852,954 2,483,749 +25.28% -35.54%
TOTAL 256,791,180 272,452,052 285,069,238 160,724,085 +11.01% -43.62%
  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Patronage was lower than previous years due to people staying at home and not taking public transport to school or work during the COVID-19 pandemic

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Passenger Transport Amendment (Bus Reform Bill) Government of New South Wales 2 June 2004
  2. ^ Annual Report for year ended 30 June 2005 Ministry of Transport pages 5/6
  3. ^ Important Notice Harris Park Transport
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Changes to Area 13 Route Services Baxter's Bus Lines February 2005
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Purchase of Baxter's Bus Lines Routes by ComfrtDelGro Cabcharge Baxter's Bus Lines 26 July 2006
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Veolia to expand Sydney bus services Sydney Morning Herald 9 January 2007
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Veolia buys Crowthers Buslink Australasian Bus & Coach 5 January 2009
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Sutherland Covered Australasian Bus & Coach 26 September 2011
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Cut costs or bus contracts will go to private sector, minister tells drivers Sydney Morning Herald 7 November 2012
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Tender shock rocks Sydney Australasian Bus & Coach 7 November 2012
  11. ^ Tenders open soon for Sydney bus services Transport NSW 25 February 2013
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c Special treatment for Sydney contracts Australasian Bus & Coach 16 January 2013
  13. ^ Transit Systems secures Region 6 Australasian Bus & Coach 13 February 2018
  14. ^ "New bus contracts to drive improved services". Transport for NSW. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  15. ^ "Tenders for Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus services now open". Transport for NSW. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "New Bus Operator to Electrify Fleet". Transport for NSW. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 7 - TfNSW 2020-010 - TfNSW 2020-010". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Busways' Sydney operations more than double with award of one of Transport for NSW's largest bus contracts". Busways. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Greater Sydney Bus Contract 9 - TfNSW 2020-009 - TfNSW 2020-009". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  20. ^ SYDNEY BUS REGIONS 7, 8, 9 ‘FRANCHISING’ DELAYED Australian Bus & Coach 4 June 2020
  21. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contracts". Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  22. ^ Blue over green Forest Coach Lines buses Manly Daily 11 January 2013
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Transport for NSW 2013/14 Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Transport for NSW. p. 38-39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  24. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract (SMBSC) - SMBSC01". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract (SMBSC) - SMBSC03". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  26. ^ "Region 6 Bus Services - SBSC 006". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "State Transit Authority Annual Report 2017/2018" (PDF). Transport for NSW. 23 November 2018. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Keolis Downer partners with TfNSW to deliver innovative transport solutions in Sydney's Northern beaches as the future bus operator". Keolis Downer. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Sydney Metro Bus Service contract 10 - SMBSC10". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract (SMBSC) - SMBSC12". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  31. ^ "Sydney Metro Bus Service contract 13 - SMBSC13". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  32. ^ "Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract (SMBSC) - SMBSC14". eTendering NSW. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Regional reviews by Ministry of Transport Sydney Bus Routes
  34. ^ Region 1 Transport NSW
  35. ^ "Western Sydney bus service adjustments from 26 May". Busways. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  36. ^ Busways wins 300 bus contract in Western Sydney Busways 7 November 2012
  37. ^ Jump up to: a b c d New bus contracts benefit customers and taxpayers Transport for NSW 7 November 2012
  38. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS01 NSW eTendering
  39. ^ Region 2 Archived 2012-03-25 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
  40. ^ Jump up to: a b c d More than 60 new buses and improved customer service with new bus contracts Transport for NSW 29 August 2013
  41. ^ Busabout News May 2014 Busabout
  42. ^ Region 3 Archived 2012-03-25 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
  43. ^ Transit Systems awarded Sydney buses contract Transit Systems 7 November 2012
  44. ^ Region 4 Transport NSW
  45. ^ NSW Bus Contract - Region 4 Cabcharge 29 August 2013
  46. ^ Some Hillsbus Services Will Cease Operation from Midnight Thurs 27 Jan 2005 Hillsbus
  47. ^ Region 4 changes Sydney Private Bus routes
  48. ^ Region 5 Transport NSW
  49. ^ Jump up to: a b Region 5 changes Sydney Private Bus routes
  50. ^ Jump up to: a b About us Punchbowl Bus Co
  51. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS05 NSW eTendering
  52. ^ Region 6 Transport NSW
  53. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "State Transit 2013/14 Annual Report" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  54. ^ NSW Transport Minister announces inner-west bus region tender ABC News 16 May 2017
  55. ^ Sydney Route Privatisation Australasian Bus & Coach 16 May 2017
  56. ^ Transit systems boosts Inner West bus services Transport for NSW 13 February 2018
  57. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS06 NSW eTendering
  58. ^ Region 7 Transport NSW
  59. ^ Region 8 Transport NSW
  60. ^ Region 9 Transport NSW
  61. ^ Region 10 Archived 2012-03-25 at the Wayback Machine Transport NSW
  62. ^ Jump up to: a b Veolia Transdev Secures Bus Contracts Transdev Australasia 16 January 2013
  63. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS10 NSW eTendering
  64. ^ Region 11 Transport NSW
  65. ^ Sydney Bus Contract Map 2012 Transport for NSW
  66. ^ Region 12 Transport NSW
  67. ^ TransdevTSL Shorelink News September 2008
  68. ^ Jump up to: a b Mixed Result for Private Bus Operators Bus & Coach Association NSW 7 November 2012
  69. ^ Region 13 Transport NSW
  70. ^ Region 13 changes Sydney Private Bus Routes
  71. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS13 NSW eTendering
  72. ^ Region 14 Transport NSW
  73. ^ Region 15 Transport NSW
  74. ^ Busways Campbelltown Busways
  75. ^ Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contract - SMBCS15 NSW eTendering
  76. ^ Opal Trips - Bus Transport for NSW Open Data
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