Transit Systems won the tender to operate bus services in Sydney’s Inner West back in February.
Now, the private bus operator will deliver on its promise to introduce around 270 extra weekly services within six months.
The extra services will run across three popular routes, between Kingsgrove and the city, Burwood and the city and Chiswick and the city from 30 September, as part of bus network improvements.
Sidoti said the boost in services comes as Inner West bus operator, Transit Systems reported improved network performance for customers with better on time running, fewer cancellations and growth in On Demand patronage.
“Customers have seen more buses on the road with 17 of 28 new buses delivered and more services arriving on time each day since Transit Systems started operating in the region on 1 July,” Sidoti said.
“Recent data shows the daily average of cancelled trips per day fell from about 128 to 18 between 1 July and 6 August - an improvement of about 85 per cent compared with the previous month (June).
“These are very pleasing results and shows that the proof is in the pudding. While the state still owns the buses, depots and manages fares under the Opal system, Inner West bus customers are now getting more reliable and frequent services from the private operator.”
Sidoti said the service boost includes new 24-hour overnight services, operating seven days a week on route 423 between Kingsgrove and the city via Earlwood, Marrickville, Enmore and Newtown, providing new night-time travel opportunities.
He also said that weekday AM and PM shoulder peak services and weekend daytime services will be boosted, with more than 180 additional weekly services between Burwood and the city on route 461.
“Customers will see more buses more often – for instance, if you are travelling between Burwood and the city, services will run every 15 minutes during weeknights and every 20 minutes on weekends.”
There will also be more frequent late evening services on route 504 between the city and Chiswick, with services operating every 30 minutes, and later departures on weeknights and Saturday nights, which will be beneficial for shift workers and those travelling after 10:00 pm.
Customers travelling between Sydney Airport and Eastgardens and between Mascot Station and Kingsford will benefit from increased service frequency, as a result of the introduction of new route 420 and changes to existing route 418.
The son of Italian immigrants, Sidoti is the sole government Liberal MP in the Inner West.
He was elected to the NSW Parliament in 2011, and since then has lobbied successfully for a number of improvements to public transport, including installation of lift access in Concord West train station and an upgrade of the popular Drummoyne ferry wharf.
Sidoti has previously said that transport was the biggest issue in his electorate of Drummoyne, and that privatisation would be the only way to fix the problem.
Transit Systems began operating bus services in the Inner West, including introducing a new, permanent On Demand Public Transport service on July 1.
In May last year, about 1200 Sydney bus drivers walked off the job for 24 hours in protest against the plan to privatise the bus services in the Inner West.
But all Award staff will be offered jobs with Transit Systems with an 18-month employment guarantee.
Transport for NSW failed to respond to La Fiamma when queried on the stability of drivers’ salaries, or the possibility of customer price increments.
Customers are able to order a bus like they order an Uber, with on demand mini-bus services around Canada Bay, Concord and Strathfield.
Customers are advised to plan ahead at the Transport for NSW website.
