The Minns Labor Government is delivering 187 additional weekly bus services for the Central Coast and 44 brand new locally built buses for Newcastle, as part of a record bus investment across NSW.
Bus services are a key priority for the government after they were cut, forgotten, and privatised by the Liberals and Nationals, who allowed buses to become "the forgotten mode", as described by the 2024 Bus Industry Taskforce.
We're continuing to add more buses to the state's fleet and will keep making improvements to services across the state, making public transport more accessible to all passengers.
The latest boost in services forms part of 9,000 additional weekly bus services since the Minns Labor Government came to office in 2023. During that time, the bus driver shortage has also been reduced from 500, to around 200.
Boost in services on the Central Coast
From Sunday 22 November, Central Coast passengers will benefit from longer operating hours on key routes, better evening and weekend connections - and more options to travel between major centres.
- Route 55 - Ettalong to Gosford via Woy Woy: more evening access, with selected night and all Sunday trips extended between Woy Woy and Gosford, providing more direct trips between Ettalong, Umina and Gosford. Sunday frequency between Woy Woy and Gosford will improve to every 60 minutes, with later departures from Gosford until around 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Routes 67 and 68 - Gosford, Terrigal, North Avoca and Wamberal: longer operating hours seven days a week and a combined 30-minute frequency across both routes until late at night, plus hourly services until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Route 99 - Lake Haven to Charlestown: longer operating hours seven days a week, with additional direct services through Lake Munmorah, Catherine Hill Bay and Swansea, as well as new Sunday services to Catherine Hill Bay and Swansea. This more direct route will replace the 2118 route.
- Better connections: Route 99 will provide improved connections with the Newcastle bus network at Swansea, while the broader package supports access to Central Coast, Hunter and Sydney train connections.
- More options for students: Additional Route 99 services will support students in Catherine Hill Bay travelling to local schools, including Swansea High School.
New buses for Newcastle
Passengers across Newcastle will experience brand new buses from early next year, with 44 new fully accessible vehicles entering service - equipped with the latest safety technology, accessibility and passenger information technology.
The new bus bodies are being built by Express Coaches in Macksville using Volvo Australia chassis, supporting around 66 manufacturing jobs right here in NSW.
The latest investment in new buses builds on major improvements already delivered across the Hunter and Newcastle networks.
Since March 2023, the Minns Labor Government has introduced 663 additional weekly school and regular route services, including new and expanded connections across Minmi, Glendale, Kotara, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Medowie, Stockton, Hexham and other communities.
Bus investment
This year's budget featured a record investment of $6.5 billion for hundreds of new electric buses and electric bus depots to reduce reliance on foreign fuels, meet the needs of growing communities and underpin a revival of domestic bus manufacturing.
Since coming to office, the Minns Labor Government has now purchased 1,295 new buses.
We are highlighting the importance of local manufacturing by supporting a local bus manufacturer on the Mid North Coast to deliver 44 new buses for Newcastle.
The Minns Labor Government is getting on with increasing jobs right across regional NSW, as well as providing more buses to serve the busy growing communities of the Hunter.
Minister for the Hunterand Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said:
"It is important that Catherine Hill Bay has modern, connected public transport services and I am very pleased that under our plan the area will have better connections and buses running on Sundays.
"Newcastle is getting 44 brand new buses, building on the 663 extra weekly services we've already delivered across the Hunter.
"These buses are being built in regional NSW, not shipped in from overseas. That's 66 manufacturing jobs we're proud to back."
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"The message is clear for bus passengers across the state. The Minns Labor Government is serious about delivering more services and more buses to make it easier to get around.
"This latest bus boost in Newcastle and the Central Coast is another example of how committed we are to strengthening connections for commuters.
"Not only are we delivering more services, but we're backing local jobs by supporting a local bus manufacturer on the Mid North Coast to deliver the 44 new buses for Newcastle.
"The Minns Labor Government is supporting jobs right across regional NSW, as well as providing more services and more buses to give commuters the public transport network they deserve."
Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said:
"Our Minns Labor Government is backing local jobs and the workers in regional NSW who built these 44 new buses, while the previous government sent contracts overseas.
"We are committed to leveraging our precious procurement dollars to support local workers and businesses and grow the NSW economy, particularly in regional communities."
Minister for Central Coast David Harris said:
"The 187 new weekly services is another big bus boost for our communities on the Coast, giving them much more flexibility to travel when it suits them, particularly at night and on weekends.
"Having buses running through Terrigal until late on Friday and Saturday nights will also provide another much-needed transport option for people out and about enjoying the restaurants, bars and other businesses along the Coast's seaside hotspot which is doing so much to support our region's night-time economy."
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said:
"Newcastle passengers deserve safer, more accessible, and more modern buses."
"I will be pleased to see 44 new buses servicing local routes early next year, fit-for-purpose with real-time passenger information and improved safety technology."
Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison said:
"More bus services will be a welcome addition for the many locals who rely on public transport every day.
"The new services, including Route 99, will make travelling between Charlestown as a major service hub, and the Central Coast easier, improving connections for our local communities."
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:
"Under the Minns Government's expanded bus plan, Coasties will soon be able to catch more buses, more frequently, more often, much later into the night.
"Locals enjoying a night out in Gosford, Woy Woy or Terrigal will now know they'll have another Plan B with access to safe, reliable transport, adding to our deep commitment to igniting a thriving night-time economy.
"Local businesses, local commuters and party-goers will get a real benefit from this expanded timetable."
