Small Manufactured Buses To Provide More Efficient BUs Services on Time Tables!

Vijay from Kingswood catches Sydney Trains from Kingswood to either Blacktown, Seven Hills or Parramatta and then transfers to catch either the T64, T70 or 715 bus service to Castle hill to reach work.

He would like the NSW Government to allocate smaller type of buses on these services as sometimes he his travelling alone. This will produce less number of seats to sit down, services would then maintained or extra efficient bus services could be introduced into the table and thus this will reduce the ultimate costs of paying for  new buses.

He remembers when Westbus had the 'Nipper Services'- they were smaller  manufactured buses  running around the area. This idea could catch on he said.

NSW State Government RE- Free Shuttle Buses - Our Group Is Quoted Again - Good For The Area

Thanks to The Hon. Member of Mount Druitt, Mr. Richard Amery, who keeps myself, group, the Mount Druitt community and its wider community information of debates and discussions that are concerning the community in relation to public transport.

On the 6th March 2014, a debate was raised by the NSW State Opposition, to introduce or reintroduce bus services, the debate was lost, yet our group  was mentioned (as I am proud to say) by the Hon. Member for Mount Druitt, Mr. Richard Amery and this shows that our advocacy for improvements in public transport is being heard.

Here is the entire transcript from NSW Government's hazard 6th March 2014:

Click Here for the transcript

A Former Busways Bus Driver Remembers Myself!

As I was leaving work, walking along Church Street Parramatta to Parramatta train station,  bus driver working for Veola buses - former Busways bus driver  tooted to me and gave myself a friendly waive.

This was another strange unusual thing that  has happened, since advocating for an improved public transport within Mount Druitt.

I do remember the driver and  returned my usual happy smile  with a warm friendly waive. heck that was  such a blown out thing - I don't I have seen this drive for 6 to 7 years. Amazing how I have left a great happy mark to bus drivers!

NSW BUS REGION 1 - 'ON-TIME' BUS Services - ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THEM?

Here is a blog on Sydney Bus Region Bus services including Bus Region 1. It would be interesting if you provide some  feedback to us to let us know how you are going with your own time- tabled services. As you are the customer, commuter using these services, all comments appreciated!


Click Here for Sydney Bus Regions 'On Time' Bus Running Services

Check Out New Visual Bureau Of Statistics Transport Travel - Information Bart Bassett MP

We are  making inroads in to getting more information released to the public of public transport bus patronage figures. In fact, from Member for Londonderry we have got a response from the NSW Ministers Office in trying to get released to public - public transport bus patronage figures.

“there is no hard and fast rule about when data is uploaded. In terms of patronage and other performance data, Transport for NSW has to undertake a process to aggregate and check the data before publishing. This can sometimes take a bit of time given the amount of data. My best advice would be to regularly check the BTS website for updated data.”

Click here for the visual figures based on ABS

Although the real reason to get these figure to see where bus operators  and NSW for Transport get there facts to remove bus services. To date this seems to be a hidden fact.

Saturday Morning Trains Don't Match What Weekday Services Do!

David from Woodcroft  during the week catches the Busways 750 bus to Blacktown and then catches a Sydney Trains to train stations all over Sydney, as his job differs from destination  to destination from day-to-day.

He is very concerned that on Saturdays he has to get a lift from a friend of  his to Blacktown train station, as there is no early bus service taking him from home to Blacktown. As a tax payer, he is very passionate that no Saturday morning services run in his are and would like to see weekdays timetables to be included for Saturdays time tables. Quite a few people  (that he knows would catch this service.

Comments From Commuters Of Other Free Shuttle Buses - Vital Missing Community Links

As I am getting more commuters to sign our Proposed Free Shuttle Bus for Mount Druitt, I am getting a lot of people saying  that Yes Blacktown has one and so has Penrith!  Although it was true it is not true.We can see there was some people that knew of the bus shuttles making great links into communities and this is so important to have!

The other comments I have heard  is, 'I didn't know Blacktown had one!'

Now this last statement intrigues myself, as it confirms many things to me one of which neither the current or previous NSW State Government had heavily promoted the Free Bus shuttle. I mean, advertisements in all local papers (week-to-week), also into the radio media: constant adds and for my and lastly full adds in the TV media, this enable more people to open their home doors and reach these free shuttle services.

This bus service is not just a great community link it is a great promotion to increase tourism within the local community and wider State of NSW - that's why in my books there is a great necessity for all major local community hubs to have a Free Shuttle bus, including Mount Druitt.

Checkout Discontinued Free Bus Shuttle Services Around Western Sydney

Click Here for the important news of the loss of Free Bus Shuttles within Western Sydney

Has Blacktown Got 2 Free Shuttle Buses or 1?

Free Blacktown Shuttle bus  - I was told by a Busways bus driver has two bus services. Indicating there is one bus that goes from the Blacktown bus interchange to Westfields Blacktown and the other travels to the Blacktown Hospital. This according to the 720 Brochure has only one bus service.

I remember a couple years ago I went on the Blacktown Free Shuttle bus and it just went from the Blacktown bus interchange to Westfields Blacktown only - the driver said it down't go to Blacktown Hospital! I think I didn't study the time table properly!

Click here for details on the Blacktown Free shuttle bus 720

More Looping Bus Services Require By Blacktown Commuter

 A lovely  public transport interested lady from Blacktown travels on City Rail trains from Blacktown and compares planning of bus routes from the City of Blacktown to the City of Parramatta and claims that Parramatta plans its buses on looping bus services. That means buses leaving one way and returning back to Parramatta in the same trip.
Amazing! It is amazing that so many people I speak to on trains and  buses and all people have so many different ideas, said in different ways and styles. This one was a brilliant idea - so simple and  yet so clever.

A find example is the Parramatta Shuttle Bus, which in itself is a looping shuttle bus service:

Free Parramatta Shuttle Bus

The Parramatta Shuttle Bus (formerly The Loop) is a free transport solution that connects tourists, residents and commuters to the commercial, retail and recreational landmarks of the city.

The free Parramatta Shuttle Bus runs every 10 minutes, seven days a week.

Monday to Friday Between 7.00am and 6.30pm

Saturday and Sunday Between 8.00am and 4.00pm

The free Shuttle Bus is a great way to get around Parramatta its fast, free and easy to find.

The Parramatta free Shuttle Bus operates on a continuous loop around the city centre connecting rail, bus and ferry transport interchanges with local clubs and shops, and other community hubs.

You dont need a ticket or a timetable just look out for the green bus and jump on board.

Parramatta City Council introduced The Loop service in 2008. This Parramatta Shuttle Bus now runs seven days a week and is coloured bright green.

 Download the map here. For more information visit www.131500.com.au or call 131500.

**This is where we in Mount Druitt are lobbying for a Free Shuttle Bus Service - refer to previous blogs.

What Selina was on about was she would like to bus services  in Blacktown go to Walters Road and Tinsdale School, which returns back to Blacktown - the idea is to have buses go past schools reaching local communities.

She hasn't been on the free shuttle bus in Blacktown, just doesn't know where to catch the bus and has never been on one in Blacktown.

Blacktown Free Shuttle bus details:

 BLACKTOWN – Commenced March 14, 2011

The free Blacktown Shuttle runs every 15 minutes. The service operates on a one-way loop starting from Blacktown Interchange connecting Westpoint Blacktown, K-Mart, Civic Centre, Main Street, TAFE, Medical Precinct, Blacktown Hospital, Centrelink and Blacktown RSL.

The route number for the Blacktown Shuttle is 720.

Hours of operation are:

Weekdays: 9.00am to 2.15pm

Weekends: 9.00am to 5.30pm

Click Here for the Blacktown Free Shuttle Bus Route

Will This Be True? 'Busit Officers' on Buses!

I think I have created a word, hopefully it will take on or even take off!

'Busits' Officers - the bus version of Railcorp's Transit Officers for trains. This is what I have heard from a  transport Officer within Mount Druitt and  it is happening, 'That is  security officers in and around Mount Druitt, Western Sydney and even Sydney' will be employed to support bus drivers bus on trips. 

Additional to this will be the immediate positive effect on commuters, where their safety will be  placed first on the list of comfort for public transport. Won't everyone appreciate this!

Editors Notes: I've checked a few dictionaries on the Internet - unable to find  a word listed for 'Busits' as yet.

Shalvey Commuter Backs Up Angie - Shalvey Loop Bus!

A very nice nice tertiary student, Kylie, catches the Busways 755 bus at 8.01 am and normally finds that this makes her late to reach study at Parramatta.

Yet, as the bus arrives late normally at around 8.09 am this makes her miss connected trains at Mount Druitt allowing her to catch train around 8.50 am reaching her Parramatta 9.25 am.

Se would prefer the Busways 755 to  t least be every 20 minutes rather than the poor 1/2 hour service available. Also she has issues with the bus stop outside of Shalvey shops, not picking up commuters there and making commuters walk to the other side of the road - she advised many commuters miss this bus service because of it.

This supports one of our previous blogs that Angela Plows has  raised as well:

Click Here for the previous blog on Angela's Unloop Service

Westbus New Reduced Time Running Changes - Time Tables - Region 1

Yes, although contracts are changing from Westbus to Busways and it appears from previous published stories, this could come to affect in April 2013, new reduced time table running, time tables are released by Westbus as from 26th November 2012.

What this actually means for the average commuter, we will find out in due course as we enter the new time tables.

Checkout their release of news, as  published on their website:

Service News

• New timetable for Westbus routes in the Penrith, St Marys and Mt Druitt areas

  12 November, 2012
  From Monday 26 November 2012 there will be new timetables on routes 759, 770, 771, 774, 775, 776, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 784, 785, 786, 789, 791, 793, 795, 797 and 799 operated by Westbus and many bus services will have reduced running times.
  The changes include the introduction of hourly Sunday and Public Holiday services on route 799. Customers will have this new travel option between Glenmore Park and Penrith from 8am to 8pm. All these new services will be air conditioned low floor wheelchair accessible buses. 
  The route 782 service has been extended from Werrington to St Marys during the day on weekdays & Saturdays, replacing the route 782E shuttle service.
  To improve reliability to some school bus services, we have increased coordination with school start and finish times. 
  The changes have been made in response to community feedback and are designed to help improve the reliability, convenience and availability of bus services in this community.
  New timetables are available online and distributed to customers using these services from Monday 19 November 2012. 
  The revised timetable for route 759, 770, 771, 774, 775, 776, 778, 779,  780, 781, 782, 784, 785,786, 789, 795, 791, 793, 797,799commencing Monday 26 November 2012 are now available online.
  Customers are advised to check their service times for any changes that may affect their normal travel plans. For trip planning visit www.131500.com.au or call 131500.
  
  
  Click Here for online time table details!
  
  

  

  Westbus Sign On Bus
  

  
  

NSW Bus Contracts - How Do They Effect Commuters?

It was unbecoming to me that some commuters think there could be a complete negative affect on  time tables of buses around the area.

With my limited knowledge of bus contracts, it is simply very simple to resolve these thoughts. It is where bus operators are all tendering for  areas to manage and operate buses. The negotiations are top secret (and to me should be)  and  no direct feedback from community/ transport group because it is like this:  it is like anyone applying for a job with an employer and negotiating  what they will do provide the ultimate service. Even these dealings are kept within secrecy.

If anything, the commuter feedback is not required as it has no direct affect on the outcome. 

It doesn't have any negative affects of say reducing time tables and or services - that is done during the bus review program - this is where commuters/ transport advocacy groups need to have their say!

Click Here for previous blog

Westbus Bus Drivers Do They Lose Jobs?

I saw on the news that Westbus drivers are losing jobs in Penrith and Liverpool area. It was announce about 50-70 jobs lost. It depends on how you perceive this comment, based on the new Region 1 Bus contracts completion of tendering. 

I'm sure Busways will want to have bus drivers in Penrith and I'm sure Transit Systems Australia will want to have bus drivers in Penrith. It also depends  on what the bus contracts bring for bus routes. If there is a dramatic reduction in bus routes/timetables, then this could be then be definitely true. 

Yet if not, then it should be a transitional period  fro bus drivers to apply to Busways for their jobs. If could be 'Screaming with the attack happening!

We will have to wait and see!

More 776 Westbus Buses Required in Peak Time!

Warren from St Clair says the Westbus 776 should not be a half an hour service in Peak Time. He catches the bus to then St Marys and then commutes to Parramatta.

As quoted by Warren, ' If you miss one bus service it is a long frustrating wait to get to work or even home!' He suggests that a 15 minute service in Peak time  will provide an improved public transport network in the St Clair community (meeting essential demand) and promote a more reliable public transport. This new service will be more considerate and respectable for the commuters living in the area rather than leaving commuters relying on good public transport vital service, not leaving stranded

Busways Double Decker Hits The Roads.

Here's a look at the new bus:

 An inside:

The new bus departs Blacktown Station to Rouse Hill on Route T75 at the following times:

9:37am, 10:37am, 11:37am, 12:37pm, 2:37pm & 3:40pm

And returns to Blacktown Station at:

10:02am, 11:02am, 12:02pm, 1:02pm, 3:06pm & 4:16pm

After a few months of trialling on route T75, the bus will move to route 750 and the route 725.

Blacktown Gets Double Decker Buses - Busways!

Just Got an E-mail from Lester from our Group - regarding a  new  Double Decker Bus purchased by Busways to be used in Blacktown Local Government Area. from Lester:

Hi John

Article on the double deck bus trials in Sydney.  One bus, a Bustech CDi double decker, fleet no. 1048 with country registration 5064 MO has been allocated to Busways.  Photo attached.  The bus is in the Transport NSW colour scheme. According to the press release, it will do routes out of Blacktown on the T70 and T71 to Castle Hill and the T74 and T75 to Riverstone.  This same type of bus has been on trial with Forest Coachlines on their northern suburbs routes for a few months.  The other buses on the trial will be allocated to Hillsbus for their Rouse Hill and Castle Hill to City runs.

I don't think we will see 1048 at Mt Druitt because of possible clearance issues at Mt Druitt Interchange.  I recall that when the Leyland Atlantean double deckers were retired by State Transit in 1986, Westbus bought a few of them.  I also recall an incident where one of the Atlanteans was used on the Mt Druitt run, hit the roof of the old interchange and got converted to a single decker as a result.  I never saw an Atlantean again in Mt Druitt as they got confined to routes out of St Marys and Penrith.

Regards

Lester

Here is the original story

Here it is And Look Out for it!

Guess Which Bus Operator Runs This Bus in Western Sydney?

Here is an e-mail and story that has actually happened to one of our group members Lester. Can you tell me which is the correct bus operator running this bus?

From:	Lester Pasley
Sent:	Friday, 17 August 2012 11:22:20 AM
To:	president.mountdruitt_cig@hotmail.com

Hi John

 

I saw a Blue and White bus at the Parramatta Interchange last night with an identity crisis.  Bus m/o 6043 had "Westbus" on the roof.  Next to the front door, it had in smaller letters "Operated on behalf of the NSW Government by Hunter Valley Buses" while under the driver's side window, it had "Hillsbus" as the accreditated operator and based at the Hillsbus Northmead depot.  The bus carried the metropolitan registration of m/o 6043 rather than the country registration 6043 MO.

 

6043 had the names of 3 members of the CDC group i.e. Westbus, Hillsbus and Hunter Valley Buses.  The only member of the CDC group which did not have their name on this bus was Charter Bus.  I have not seen any buses belonging to Comfort Delgro Cabcharge (CDC) marked like this.

 

Regards

 

 

 

Lester Pasley | 

Bankstown Commuter Thanks 'Veola' For Returned Keys Left on Bus

'The key to life is always be patient, good to others and then they will give you your key!'

 Zhini, a hard working commuter from Bankstown, yesterday has never felt so grateful, when things went sour for him yesterday, after reaching work in Parramatta.

He travels  Monday to Saturdays from Bankstown Bus Interchange to Parramatta Bus Interchange. Yesterday he caught the M92 bus from Bankstown to Parramatta and realised as he reached work he left his house keys on the seat of the bus.

He was in despair ( like anyone would be) until he contacted the Veola Bus Depot in Bankstown, the transport officer contacted the bus driver  and the keys were located and advised ready to be picked up in the bus depot  in the afternoon.  Zhini was so relieved when he was told the good news!

The moral of the story is as we all tend to lose items in public transport and we hope we have trustworthy commuters/ transport officers that will assist commuters life in obtaining the lost item! Communication direct to bus drivers can be very useful in making people happy and so should life be like that!

A copy of Zhini's ticket is provided, so that it is proof that what was on the ticket - made it easier to be found!

Editor: to the bus driver keep on doing you very honest job and thank you for making one person happy!