190X Bus Turning up - Concerns students are still being left stranded
However, concerns over students being left stranded at bus stops, especially youngsters, persist.
Among the Questions tabled on Wednesday August 6 Pittwater's MP asked, in regards to the cancellation of school buses whether Keolis Downer is permitted under its contract with Transport for NSW to cancel dedicated school bus services?;
Are school bus services required to be prioritised over general services under the contract with Keolis Downer or other bus operators?;
What contractual or regulatory obligations exist to ensure that school bus services are delivered reliably and consistently? and in the event that a school bus service is cancelled, what processes are in place to:
(a) Locate and dispatch a replacement service?
(b) Notify affected students, parents and schools in a timely and transparent manner?
Ms Scruby also asked; 'Does Transport for NSW monitor compliance with school bus service obligations by private operators such as Keolis Downer, and if so, how? and;
What penalties or breach provisions apply under the current contract if a school bus service is cancelled without adequate justification?
Are school bus cancellations by Keolis Downer required to be reported to Transport for NSW, and are those reports made publicly available?
and how does Transport for NSW ensure the accuracy and integrity of real-time public transport tracking data in apps used by students and families?'
The MP for Pittwater also wants to know what steps the Minister can take to ensure that future school bus cancellations are avoided and that clear, accurate communication is provided to affected families.
In the NSW Legislative Assembly, answers to written questions must be lodged by Ministers within 35 calendar days after the question is first published.
If an answer is not received within the timeframe, the Speaker will inform the House and the Minister must explain the delay.
The Legislative Assembly next sits on Tuesday September 9 2025.
Ms Scruby has consistently and successfully lobbied for daily updates from the Minister’s office and for the 190X to be prioritised when managing cancellations, as this is the only direct route to the city for commuters north of Mona Vale. In the height of the crisis she negotiated set times for cancellations so people could plan their journeys in advance.
Last year the removal of 43 articulated “bendy” buses from local routes compounded an already high rate of failure to turn up.
Repairs to the fleet began in April, and although only 13 are back in service, Ms Scruby has persisted in asking that the 190X is prioritised and the zero cancellations over the last month are the result.
Ms Scruby acknowledges there is still work to be done though, from addressing bus driver shortages, improving other routes, including the 199, for the full 2024 190X timetable to be restored and better real time data.
On June 18 Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby noted the NSW Government’s pre-budget announcement of 60 new buses and confirmation 8 bendy buses would return in the coming months.
“At the beginning of this year we were fighting to have the bus crisis recognised, and now we have a huge funding in the budget for 60 new buses and a commitment to bus transport in NSW. Although the new buses have been previously announced, commitment in the Budget is something to celebrate.'' she stated then
This past week Ms Scruby reiterated that these:
“Investment announcements are great - but really the only thing that matters is commuters experience improvement. With a month of zero cancellations on the 190X even though not all buses are returned - I feel confident that it's time to celebrate.
“I want to thank the long-suffering commuters from North Avalon down to Narrabeen who use this service. Together we have kept up the pressure on Downer and TfNSW after services - or a lack of them - reached crisis point at the start of the year. Daily persistence is finally paying off.”
“My message is - buses are back - make sure you use the 190X and let’s get the full timetable restored.”
One of those 'beyond the bends' commuters left stranded earlier this year, Adam Radcliffe, said on Tuesday, August 19:
“I can honestly say, the 190X service has improved noticeably over the last few months. At the start of the year there were regularly 3 or 4 cancellations every weekday, but recently I have not seen any cancelled services to the City. I have also seen the bendy buses returning to the area, and I look forward to riding one again on the lengthy 190X route.
“Huge thanks to Jacqui Scruby for leaning in and escalating the service issue to Transport for NSW and Keolis Downer (the bus operators). Her involvement and attention has produced clear results.”