Communities around the Inner West are set to benefit from a boost to bus services, with more frequent trips and longer operating hours introduced to complement the Southwest Metro.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government rebuild of bus services after the bus taskforce found they had become "the forgotten mode" under the former Liberal Government.
The improvements to the 413 and 418 routes will deliver an extra 190 weekly bus trips across the two routes, making it easier for residents to go to work, school or university, and get from A to B.
The changes will ramp up the number of bus trips in off-peak times as well as weekend services and strengthen connections between Inner West communities and the Southwest Metro.
Route 413, which operates between Campsie and the Sydney CBD via Summer Hill, Lewisham, Annandale and Broadway, will receive significantly more services, with 173 extra trips each week.
Peak hour buses on the 413 will continue to run every 15 minutes, while off peak services on weekdays and weekends will run every 20 minutes after the changes take effect, instead of every 30 minutes.
The changes also mean longer operating hours for the 413. A key improvement is that services will commence earlier and finish later on Sundays, meaning that buses will operate from early morning until around midnight seven days a week.
Route 418, which goes between Burwood and Sydenham via Ashfield, Summer Hill, Hurlstone Park, Dulwich Hill and Marrickville, will receive 17 extra trips each week, including new buses on Friday and Saturday nights leaving every hour.
These changes will see the 418 route operate around the clock on weekends. The extra services add to the over 300 additional weekly trips introduced for the 418 route in December 2024.
The overnight services will improve connectivity between key Inner West centres, by providing links to the rail network at Burwood, Ashfield and Sydenham, and to the Southwest Metro at Sydenham and Hurlstone Park.
These revamped routes are designed to connect with the game-changing Southwest Metro, with the 413 connecting to the Metro at Campsie, while the 418 will connect with the Metro at Sydenham and Hurlstone Park.
These extra services and longer hours are another example of the Minns Labor Government supporting shift workers, hospitality staff, late-night visitors and the growing night-time economy.
Since coming to office, the Minns Labor Government has:
- Delivered almost 6000 additional weekly bus services across Sydney.
- Reduced the bus driver shortage from over 500 to around 200.
- Ordered 1271 new buses.
Minister for Transport, John Graham said:
"We are the government that gets you from A to B. Whether it be by new metro, heavy rail, light rail - or in this case, brand new bus services.
"Residents in our Inner West love catching public transport, and now they've got 190 extra bus services across their area, and it comes just in time for the game-changing Southwest Metro.
"The Metro has transformed Sydney, and the way we travel across this city. Extra buses and longer operating hours, which work hand in hand with the Metro - is hugely beneficial for Sydneysiders.
"The Liberals let the bus driver shortage blow out, we've brought that back under control, and now we're giving you more trips and longer service hours."
Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen said:
"For too long, Ashbury, Summer Hill and Campsie residents have had to put up with the notoriously unreliable 413 bus.
"Thanks to the hundreds of locals that have loudly and consistently asked for a better service, we are adding more 413 services, improving frequency and lengthening the hours of operation.
"This is great news for our community because more buses, more often means that more people can choose to leave their cars at home and catch public transport - and everyone wins from that!"
Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis said:
"This is fantastic news for our local community. More frequent services and better operating hours on Route 413 will make it easier for people across Campsie and the surrounding suburbs to get where they need to go.
"The significant increase in services on Route 413 will strengthen connections to Campsie Metro Station and help local residents take advantage of the opportunities created by the Southwest Metro.
"As our community continues to grow, it's important that public transport grows with it. These service improvements are a practical investment in making every day travel easier for local families and workers."
Member for Strathfield, Jason Yat-Sen Li said:
"With stronger connections to the new Southwest Metro at Campsie and Sydenham, these changes will help connect communities across the Inner West and make our public transport network work better for the people who rely on it every day.
"Whether you're commuting from Burwood, heading home to Croydon after a late shift, or connecting through Campsie to the Metro, these additional services mean more options and better connections for local residents."
