311 bus service removed for efficiency and timetable

10 July 2009

Sydney Buses has admitted to axing a vital part of the 311 bus service in Elizabeth Bay because it makes timetabling easier and services in other areas more efficient.

In April this year, Sydney Buses cut the long-standing loop along Billyard Avenue from the 311 service, severing an essential link between this densely populated area and employment, services, shopping and entertainment in the CBD.

"This is Australia's most densely populated area, with over 1000 people living along the loop. Many residents are over 65 years of age and rely on buses in the hilly terrain. They live in historic apartments without parking space and depend on public transport," Ms Moore said.

"This area has one of Sydney's lowest rates of private vehicle ownership and should not be sacrificed in favour of services in other areas or less administration. People living more sustainably at high densities without cars must be supported with usable public transport."

Sydney Buses' alarming new admission was made at the City of Sydney's Community Forum on Thursday night, where participants expressed anger about loss of access to public transport.

The Sydney Buses representative explained that the service was cut in April as part of a new contract with the Ministry of Transport for Region 9 (Eastern Suburbs) to improve efficiency. When asked if the service could be reinstated, the representative responded that it would take Sydney Buses "months to redo the timetable".

Sydney Buses has previously argued that the loop was removed because their large new 12.5m buses were needed to improve services and couldn't fit on the narrow streets. It also sought to blame the City of Sydney for the loss as it demanded that scarce on-street parking be removed from other parts of the route to fit the larger buses.

"Sydney Buses' one-size-fits-all, cost-cutting approach doesn't work for narrow streets in densely populated inner city areas. Other major cities have bus fleets with smaller vehicles to provide accessible public transport in inner city areas," Ms Moore said.

"This latest change builds on Sydney Buses' tradition of removing bus stops, reducing services and leaving passengers behind to improve on-time running and reduce costs.

"I again call on the State Government to reinstate the Elizabeth Bay loop using smaller buses and to urgently revisit Eastern Suburbs bus timetabling and services," Ms Moore said.

Recent City consultations show a majority of people along the 311 route are concerned about the threatened loss of parking and want smaller buses to enable regular, reliable services.

Out of 74 submissions from residents in the Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point area, 41 said they wanted smaller buses and 59 were concerned about loss of parking.

Attachment:        Summary of Clover Moore MP's Action to Protect the 311 Bus Service

Media contact: Jeff Lewis 9265 9400 or 0401 994 008

Related Resources