Improvements made to ‘worst-performing’ route
Trial changes made to the ‘worst-performing’ bus route, the 160X Chatswood to Dee Why, have proved popular with passengers on the busy route.
The route, which is one of few to connect Chatswood with the Northern Beaches, was selected to trial passenger information and telematics initiatives designed to improve passenger experience.
Operated by Keolis Downer, bus 160X was previously identified as part of the State Government’s ongoing Bus Industry Taskforce (‘the Taskforce’) as the ‘worst performing’ all day frequent network (ADFN) service.
Changes included passenger information display screens and audio announcements for the next stop, passenger counters to measure actual patronage with Opal data and a simplified bus route map.
As a result, the 160X rose 15 places in popularity ranking, leading the Taskforce to recommended in its second report, released in February, that Transport for NSW (TfNSW) consider retrofitting digital and auditory passenger information display screens to the existing bus fleet.
In terms of ‘electrifying’ the bus force, there will be 1,200 electric buses manufactured as part of the $3 billion zero emission buses program (ZEB), an initiative of the previous State Liberal Government in 2022. The Taskforce said that a successful ZEB roll-out would require ‘focused attention from TfNSW to ensure infrastructure is in place to support new vehicles’.
North Sydney and Willoughby depots are earmarked for upgrading and conversion to ZEB.
The report also suggested that the government could look to emulate initiatives in the USA, where high-rise residential towers are built over ZEB depots. The Taskforce suggested that the highly-dense North Sydney area, which has a ‘tight housing market,’ could be a ‘feasible’ location if it were to get electric buses with reduced noise and vibrations.
Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor said council would welcome electric buses in the area. Reduced emissions and improved energy efficiency would ‘help reduce overall energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to efforts to combat climate change,’ the mayor said.
“While the upfront cost of electric buses may be higher than diesel buses, they often have lower operating and maintenance costs over their lifespan.
“The change from diesel to battery would result in improved air quality which would be of great benefit to our more vulnerable community.”
