After seven years of campaigning the Member for Campbelltown has delivered a much needed bus service to the community of Macarthur Heights, as part of the Minns Labor Government's delivery of increased bus services across South West and Western Sydney.
Since it was established in 2013, residents of Macarthur Heights have had no public transport options. That will change from July 5 when the new 849 route will connect residents with Macarthur Station, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown TAFE, Campbelltown Hospital and Macarthur Square.
The service will run every 30 minutes between 6am and 10pm, seven days a week.
In nearby Menangle and Menangle Park, the 889 service which previously only ran up to twelve times a day six days a week, will become a seven day a week service with additional 83 trips per week.
On July 5 the new 849 and the increased 889 services will begin service alongside the five brand new bus routes connecting Campbelltown (845), Liverpool (825), Leppington (860), Mount Druitt (772) and Penrith (790) with the new Western Sydney Airport. Route 840 between Campbelltown and Oran Park will also be improved to operate every 30 minutes across the week and extended to Leppington, replacing route 858. These bus services will end public transport deserts for many of these Southwest communities.
In addition to brand new routes, the Minns Labor Government is also restoring routes that were axed by the former government and sorely missed by communites. On June 21 the M52 bus route will be restored between Parramatta and the CBD via Ryde and in April the 301 was restored between Roseberry and Eastgardens.
These new routes will be funded by the $452 million commitment in the 2025-26 Budget to expand bus services in Sydney's outer suburbs and regional growth areas, including south-west Sydney.
Under the former Liberal Government bus services were privatised, a severe driver shortage developed, services were cut, we ran out of new buses and bus manufacturing jobs were offshored through overseas procurement.
Since coming to office in March 2023 the Minns Labor Government has delivered:
- 1,357 additional new weekly services across Greater Sydney.
- Reduced the driver shortage from 500 down to 165.
- Ordered 923 new buses.
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys ahead of the changes by visiting transportnsw.info and using the trip planner.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
"Macarthur Heights is another classic example of the Liberals building housing without the infrastructure to support it
"Whether it's public transport, roads, schools or hospitals, our government is working to make sure communities living in new housing areas have all the basic services you expect in a world class city.
"Better bus services mean better access to opportunity and stronger connections for communities across Western Sydney."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"Greg Warren has been a tireless campaigner for the Macarthur Heights community. He pushed the Liberal government to give them a bus service, and when they refused, he made sure our government delivered it.
"It's not fair that some communities get public transport and others don't. Transport needs to be a fundamental part of the plan for growing communities.
"The new Macarthur Heights service and the five new airport routes will connect communities with jobs, education and health services right across this fast-growing part of Sydney."
Member for Campbelltown and Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney Greg Warren said:
"Residents of Macarthur Heights will soon have access a much needed new bus service which will service the growing area, as a part of the Minns Labor Government's delivery of increased bus services across South West and Western Sydney.
"I have been fighting alongside the Macarthur Heights community since 2019 to deliver the essential bus services that they not only need, but deserve, and I am proud that this service is being delivered by the Minns Labor Government.
"New connections for growing communities like Menangle Park and Macarthur Heights will ensure residents have access to reliable transport close to home."
Transit Systems NSW Managing Director Rino Matarazzo said:
"We're delighted to bring these new and expanded services to South West Sydney.
"Connecting communities like Macarthur Heights to jobs, education and healthcare is exactly why we do what we do.
"Transit Systems is proud to work alongside the Minns Government to deliver these vital services, and from July 5, residents will have reliable, frequent public transport they deserve."
