Sydney buses gain 3,000 weekly services as routes 343 and 370 go 24/7

The New South Wales Government announced on 3 November that 3,000 additional weekly bus services will start across the state on 15 and 22 November, with more frequent buses, new connections and later running hours. The government said the boost will bring the total number of additional weekly services delivered since the Minns Labor Government took office to 9,000.

Night services

Two of Sydney's busiest routes will run around the clock, seven days a week: route 343 between Kingsford and Circular Quay, and route 370 between Coogee and Glebe Point. Route 418 between Sydenham and Burwood will run overnight on Friday and Saturday nights. The changes bring the total number of 24-hour routes to 40, including 29 running seven days a week and 11 running overnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Route 343 gains 113 weekly services and route 370 gains 160 weekly trips.

Western Sydney and the east

In Greater Western Sydney, new routes include the 848X between Wilton and Campbelltown in weekday peaks, the 847 between Wollongong and Picton via Wilton, the 737 connecting Mount Druitt, Mount Druitt Hospital and Eastern Creek, and route 725 between Blacktown and Eastern Creek with 334 weekly services. In the Eastern Suburbs, route 378 will restore a direct connection between Bronte and the Sydney CBD, the 339X express gains 54 weekly trips, and route 373 will be extended to Circular Quay.

Background

The government said the changes follow extensive community consultation by the Bus Industry Taskforce, which found buses had become the forgotten mode of transport under the former Liberal-National Government. It also said the bus driver shortfall has narrowed from around 500 when it took office to around 200, and this year's Budget included $6.5 billion for new electric buses and depots. Passengers are advised to check services on transportnsw.info or the Opal Travel app before travelling. Stock image: a Sydney bus.