Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts

In February 2004, the Unsworth Review of Bus Services conducted by former Transport Minister and Premier Barrie Unsworth, reported its findings to the Carr Government, recommending that the number of contract areas that existed in Sydney be reduced from 87 to 15 with a lead entity identified for each region to negotiate a contract.

[2] In some cases the existing operators formed joint venture companies to have a single contract with the government while in other regions there were some takeovers.

Harris Park Transport and Moores Tours decided to cease operating at short notice in December 2004.

[9][10][11] Transdev NSW was able to negotiate a direct award for regions 10 and 13 after agreeing to provide access to its bus and depot assets at the end of the contracts.

A requirement of the contracts is that operators adopt a white and two blues livery as prescribed by Transport for NSW, this was implemented from 2010.

[30] Region 1 covers the outer western suburbs between Blacktown, Penrith, Windsor and Richmond.

[9][10][30][46][47][48] In February 2023, following another competitive tendering process, Busways successfully retained and was awarded a seven-year contract for Region 1.

[27] Region 2 initially covered the south western suburbs between Liverpool, Ingleburn and Hoxton Park.

[50][51] Nine years later, in February 2023, following another competitive tendering process, Transit Systems was awarded a new contract for the region.

[30][47] Nine years later, in December 2022, following another competitive tender process, Transit Systems retained and was awarded a seven-year contract for the region.

The new contract commenced on 6 August 2023, with Transit Systems taking over Region 13 services from Transdev NSW.

It also operates services via the M2 Hills Motorway to Macquarie Centre, Chatswood, Milsons Point and the Sydney CBD.

[55] Following the short notice cessation of operations by Harris Park Transport, its routes in the Hills District were taken over by Hillsbus on 20 December 2004, then transferred to Sydney Buses as part of region 7 on 28 January 2005, with six routes returning to Region 4 on 25 September 2005.

[56][57] Following a tendering process, CDC NSW (parent company of Hillsbus) retained and was awarded an eight-year contract for Region 4 in November 2022.

Region 6 covers the Inner West and southern suburbs with services extending to the Sydney CBD, Chatswood, Taronga Zoo, Westfield Eastgardens, Bondi Junction, Hurstville and Miranda.

Principal suburbs are Ashfield, Burwood, Campsie, Leichhardt, Rockdale and Sydney Olympic Park.

Principal suburbs are Chatswood, Epping, Macquarie Park, North Sydney, Ryde and Parramatta.

State Transit permanently took control of a few former Harris Park Transport services in September 2005, and the region expanded to cover the whole of Carlingford, Epping and include North Rocks, West Pennant Hills and Beecroft for the first time.

[18] Region 8 covers the lower North Shore and Northern Beaches with services extending to the Sydney CBD.

Principal suburbs are Brookvale, Chatswood, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney and Palm Beach.

[60][66] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2020 and was awarded to Keolis Downer Northern Beaches, with operations commencing on 31 October 2021.

Principal suburbs are Bondi Junction, Botany, Maroubra, Mascot, Randwick and Surry Hills.

[60][66] The contract was put out to competitive tender in 2021 and was awarded to Transdev John Holland, with operations commencing on 3 April 2022.

[69][20] Region 10 initially covered the south western suburbs between Bankstown, Sutherland and Engadine.

[12][71][72] In December 2022, following a competitive tender process, U-Go Mobility was awarded a seven-year contract for region 10.

[75][76] In November 2022, CDC NSW (parent company of Forest Coach Lines) retained and was awarded a seven-year contract for Region 14.

[78][79] When the region was established in 2005, services were operated by incumbents Pleasure Tours and Punchbowl Bus Company.

[30][80] Eight years later, in December 2022, following another competitive tender process, Punchbowl Bus Co was unsuccessful in retaining the contract.

[43][82] Region 12 covered the Upper North Shore and Hornsby to Hawkesbury River area with a limited peak hour service extending to the Sydney CBD.

Some of the routes were previously operated by Baxter's Bus Lines and were transferred to Connex and Transit First on 1 January 2005.