Bus queues on Sydney's Northern Beaches and lower North Shore are expected to improve into the end of 2025 as repaired articulated buses - known as "bendy buses" - return to the roads.
Bus capacity in this region of Sydney has been under pressure since 83 bendys were withdrawn from service in October last year for emergency repairs to cracking identified in their chassis.
The former Liberal-National government did not buy a single bendy bus during their 12 years in office, making fleet management and renewal a more complicated task.
More than half of the withdrawn bendy fleet operate on Northern Beaches routes and their absence has led to passengers waiting longer at bus stops, especially during the peaks.
Bendy buses carry around 50% more passengers than a regular bus.
They are one of the best solutions for busy routes enabling large numbers of passengers to be carried with frequent stops.
There are now 17 bendys back in service on the Northern Beaches after repair work in Western Sydney.
In total, 20 repaired bendys have been returned to routes, with the longer buses also going to provide extra capacity on busy routes around the eastern suburbs, Lane Cove,
Macquarie Park, Parramatta and along Victoria Road.
As complex repair work of the withdrawn articulated buses continues, the Minns Labor Government is purchasing 50 new Euro 6 diesel articulated buses to increase capacity across multiple routes and ten double-decker buses to supplement the B-Line fleet. The first of the new articulated buses is expected to be delivered by the end of this year and the new double deckers will arrive in mid-2026.
Since April 2023, the Minns Labor Government has purchased a total of 921 new buses, after inheriting an ageing fleet from the Liberal-National government which went two years without buying a single bus.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"Bendy buses are a signature part of public transport on the Northern Beaches and we are pleased to see the repaired fleet starting to return to the busiest routes where they are needed most.
"We have heard loud and clear from bus passengers, especially peak time commuters, that queues at the bus stop have been too long and these buses provide the extra capacity that will improve those wait times.
"Longer buses mean shorter queues, it's that simple. I commend the energy of the local members for Pittwater and Wakehurst, Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan for their advocacy on behalf of bus passengers."
Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby said:
"Pittwater commuters are already seeing the benefits of bendys returning. I've had positive emails, DMs and conversations with commuters at bus stops, and with zero cancellations on the 190X the benefits to the whole region are already being noticed."
"Bendy buses are an icon on the Northern Beaches and we're excited to have them back and looking forward to even more returning."
"Up in Pittwater we are quite remote and rely solely on buses to get to work, school and appointments. Today's announcement confirms what Pittwater commuters already feel - buses will be more reliable and less crowded and the bus crisis is a thing of the past."
Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan said:
"People on the Northern Beaches rely heavily on our buses. When the bendys were taken off the road, we felt that impact straight away with longer queues and more missed services. Getting them back into service was a priority.
"Beaches commuters know that the high capacity bendys are a practical solution for our busiest routes. Their return is good news for commuters, and the new fleet on the way shows that the government is listening to our advocacy and the community's call for better services. I'm so thankful to commuters and drivers who have spoken up and engaged with me on this, and I thank the government for listening."
"I've been pushing hard for more reliable bus services because public transport is vital to the Beaches. These repaired bendys and the commitment to purchase new additional buses are a welcome step in the right direction, and we'll keep advocating for all necessary investment to meet the ever-growing demand."
