Friday, 13 November 2015

Loss Of Free Bus Shuttle Services Around Sydney - Only One Left!


It is with sadness that after all the free bus shuttle services, Parramatta is the last one running. Lester, Secretary of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. reports on this via email received.

The group had lobbied hard and advocated for a Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus, pas through Blacktown City Council and  remains there. At the same time, Blacktown's Free Shuttle Bus service had been taken out of service, due to low patronage. I personally think we lobbied and advocated for this service at the wrong time!
 
 Here is Lester's report:

Hi John,

This are my observations of the free Green and White shuttle bus services.

The Keneally Government had introduced free shuttles in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Liverpool, Cabramatta, Campbelltown, Blacktown and Penrith plus Regional shuttles in Gosford and Wollongong.

Change of Government saw these services withdrawn except for two in the Metro area – the Route 555 Sydney CBD shuttle and the Route 900 Parramatta shuttle and the Route 55 Wollongong shuttle in the regions.

MDCIGThe closure of George Street to bus services on 4th October saw the withdrawal of the Route 555 Sydney CBD shuttle which now leaves the Route 900 Parramatta shuttle as the sole survivor of the shuttle services in the Sydney Metro area.

The Parramatta Shuttle is well patronised with full loads most of the time.  The current operator Transdev has two buses dedicated to the service, 1975 and 5238, which are in the Green and White shuttle scheme.  I have noted when loads are high, Blue and White 5019  which is the backup bus and fills in for the other two when they are being serviced is brought in to do the shuttle.

How long the present Government will continue to fund the free shuttles is a good question?

Regards

Lester Pasley

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