The new facility replaces the almost 30-year-old temporary bus layover at Marine Drive, providing the first dedicated bus driver facility in the Illawarra and safer parking arrangements.
The layover can cater for up to 11 buses and features a lunchroom, kitchenette, toilets, and importantly a space for bus drivers to rest and recover.
A separated path on the northern side of the bus layover provides pedestrian access between Auburn Street and Atchison Street.
Relocating the bus layover to the new site will reduce disruptions caused by major events like the upcoming World Triathlon Championship and return beachside car parking to the public.
There are no changes to frequency of services but slight changes to some bus run times to improve reliability.
School buses S408, S415 and S420 have been discontinued due to low usage, with impacted students to use Route 90 as an alternative.
To improve reliability, 20 regular routes will arrive one to five minutes earlier, but start times will stay the same.
Passengers should check trip planner before making any journeys.
The new site operation hours will be Monday to Friday from 6am to 10.30pm, Saturdays 7am to 11.30pm and Sundays 7am to 10pm.
The temporary layover site at Lang Park has been returned to Wollongong City Council enabling the return of beachside parking for locals and visitors alike.
Transport will continue to investigate future improvements at Wollongong and Oak Flats Train Stations.
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"The completion of the new permanent bus layover is great and timely news as the Wollongong prepares to host the World Triathlon Championships.
"The new location on Atchison Street means bus services can remain operational during the triathlon and other major events while also returning beachside parking for locals and visitors.
"As the first dedicated bus driver facility in the Illawarra it provides a vital rest stop for drivers, improving safety and outcomes for everyone.
"I thank the teams from Transport for NSW, Wollongong City Council, bus operators and the Transport Workers Union have worked closely on the location, design, development and implementation of the new facility to deliver the best outcome for everyone, particularly passengers."
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said:
"This move is such a positive step for the city and allows Council to move forward on long term plans for Lang Park and the foreshore precinct while also supporting the delivery of significant international events like the World Triathlon Championship Finals 2025.
"We have a long-term vision for this area to see this area opened up for our community to use and enjoy, and we appreciate the efforts of all those who have helped to make this happen."
TWU NSW Secretary Richard Olsen said:
"Having new, permanent facilities is a great outcome for bus workers, who previously languished under a temporary set-up for decades, and great for the public, who will benefit from the reclaimed space. The Transport Workers' Union commends all parties who worked with us in good faith to get to the result we see today.
"Safety is paramount in the bus sector, and we'll continue to work productively with the NSW Government to ensure outcomes such as these become the norm."
TWU Wollongong & South Coast Sub-branch Secretary Rob Pirc said:
"It's been a 30-year journey to find a permanent home, but the result is the opening of a better, safer, permanent facility for bus workers.
"We appreciate the efforts of Minister Scully, Transport for New South Wales, and Wollongong Council to work with transport workers for a better result. We'll continue to work with all partners to ensure safety is the priority in Wollongong."
