October 11 - 17, 2020: Issue 469

 

B-Line to operate 24/7 alongside high frequency local bus network: the details of route changes to commence in december


Friday October 9, 2020

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes today announced a big B-Line boost to 24/7 operations and more high frequency feeder services added to the timetable in response to changing travel patterns.

The popularity of the B-Line, the launch of new routes such as the 199 between Palm Beach and Manly, the introduction of the Keoride on-demand service, and the COVID-19 pandemic have seen significant shifts in how and when people are using public transport.

To respond to the changes, network updates will be introduced by the NSW Government to simplify the timetable, reduce service duplication, improve choice of travel time, and better use the empty buses currently travelling across the network.

Amendments to the network timetable, to be introduced later this year, include:

  • B-Line to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Late night services will also be extended to the QVB to assist passengers travelling home from the city.
  • The 199 service (Palm Beach/Avalon Beach to Manly) will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service will be boosted to operate at a 10 minute frequency across the day to Palm Beach and at least every 20 minutes overnight to Avalon Beach.
  • Improved 10 minute frequencies during the peaks for the 191 service (Avalon-Clareville-Bilgola Plateau loop), 185 service (Warriewood-Narrabeen), and 182 service (Mona Vale-Elanora Heights-Narrabeen).
  • 190X (Avalon Beach to City) reconfigured service to operate on a 10 minute frequency during the weekday peaks. This service will replace the current 188X.
  • New 181X service operating between Narrabeen and the City every 10 minutes during the peaks.
  • New 160X high frequency rapid service (Dee Why to Chatswood) using Warringah Road every 10 minutes throughout the day.

Changing passenger travel patterns, the addition of all-day services operating along the main transport corridor and the introduction of high frequency feeder services mean certain routes will be replaced or reconfigured. These will include the 154X, 183X, 185X, 188X and 189X.

“These changes reflect the significant shifts we’re seeing in how people are using our public transport network,” Rob Stokes said today.

“A lot has changed recently with new routes, new technology, new on-demand services and new travel habits. It’s important these factors are echoed in timetable updates.

“The sight of empty buses trundling along back streets obviously isn’t responsible or sustainable.

“We need to see more buses allocated to where they’re needed most, and more people given flexibility to travel at different times of the day. 

“Almost 3 years since its successful launch – these changes will be a big birthday boost for the B-Line.

“The uptake of Keoride among commuters has certainly exceeded all expectations and the B-Line is now firmly established as our community’s go-to service. 

“Even before COVID, Opal card data was showing a gradual shift in people commuting outside the usual peak periods, and the rising appeal of high-frequency, turn-up-and-go services.

“By providing improved connections to our local transport hubs, and rapid services throughout the day along our main transport corridor, we’re quickly moving towards a point where timetables are becoming unnecessary. 

“We could also see exciting opportunities coming up to help reduce the carbon footprint of our bus fleet by introducing quieter, cleaner and more efficient electric buses on our feeder routes – and even solar charging infrastructure at the Mona Vale depot,” Rob Stokes said.

Transport for NSW will be liaising with Northern Beaches Council on further shelter enhancements at local transport hubs to help support the changes.

The changes are due to commence on 20 December. Further details are available at www.transportnsw.info 

Further Details: Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus services

Friday October 9th 2020

Transport for NSW will be adding more than 2,000 additional weekly bus services added in Sydney’s Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore in December.

The new services include overnight B-Line services operating between Mona Vale and the Sydney CBD for the first time, and buses operating every 10 minutes on key routes as part of the creation of an all-day frequent network operating throughout the day, seven days a week, including between Dee Why and Chatswood.

The new frequent routes operating every 10 minutes across the day, seven days a week are:

  • Route 100 - Mosman to City
  • Route 144 - Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards
  • Route 160X - Dee Why to Chatswood
  • Route 199 - Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why

New B-Line overnight services will be introduced, operating every 30 minutes seven days a week between Mona Vale and the CBD between midnight and 4am. This means the B-Line will now be running 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Overnight services will also operate between Avalon and Manly seven days a week as part of the new network.

There will also be changes to some bus routes and timetables, designed to support the new all-day frequent network. To help reduce duplication on the network, some routes are being replaced by new routes or extra services on other routes.

An outline of these changes are shown below.

New frequent routes

The following frequent routes will operate at least every 10 minutes from early morning until evening, seven days a week. Early morning and late night services will operate at least every 20 minutes.

Route Changes

Route B1
Mona Vale to City (existing B-line)

  • The existing B-Line will become part of the new all-day frequent network being introduced on the northern beaches.
  • Services will continue to operate at least every 10 minutes across the day.
  • New overnight services will operate every 30 minutes between midnight and 4am daily.
  • This means B-Line services will now operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Route 100
Mosman to City

  • This is a new frequent route that will operate between Mosman (Taronga Zoo) and the Queen Victoria Building in the city from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week.
  • Buses will run at least every 10 minutes across the day, and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night.
  • Services operating towards Taronga Zoo will pick up customers at Wynyard on Clarence Street.

Route 144
Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards

  • This is a new frequent route that will replace routes 143 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards) and 144 (Manly to Chatswood via Royal North Shore Hospital​).
  • It will operate from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week​.
  • At St Leonards, route 144 will operate direct via the Pacific Highway, with stops for RNS Hospital near Reserve Road. Customers wishing to access the main entrance of RNS Hospital can use new route 114 (Balmoral Beach to RNS Hospital).

Route 160X
Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest (limited stops)

  • This is a new frequent route with limited stops that will operate from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week.
  • Buses will run at least every 10 minutes across the day, and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night.

The following are the new stops for route 160X:

Dee Why to Chatswood

  • Dee Why Shops, Pittwater Rd (209922)
  • Warringah Rd opp Alfred St (209991)
  • Warringah Rd at Willandra Rd (210069)
  • Frenchs Forest Rd opp Inverness Ave (208642)
  • Frenchs Forest Rd after Bantry Bay Rd (208645)
  • Rabbett St at Forest Way (208649)
  • Warringah Rd at Starkey St (208714)
  • Babbage Rd at Allan St (206969)
  • Chatswood Station, Stand D (206722)

Chatswood to Dee Why

  • Chatswood Station, Stand A (206720)
  • Babbage Rd at Park Ave (206966)
  • Warringah Rd after Ferguson St (208738)
  • Forestway Shopping Centre, Forest Way (208671)
  • Frenchs Forest Rd opp Bantry Bay Rd (208636)
  • Skyline Shops, Frenchs Forest Rd E (208617)
  • Warringah Rd before Willandra Rd (2100114)
  • Warringah Rd before Alfred St (2099108)
  • Dee Why B-Line, Pittwater Rd (209913)

Route 199
Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why

  • This is a new frequent route that replaces the current route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly​).
  • Buses will run at least every 10 minutes across the day, and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night.
  • Overnight services will operate between Avalon and Manly, seven days a week​. Overnight buses will run every 30 to 60 minutes with extra trips on Friday and Saturday nights.

Local bus route changes

Route Changes

Route 111
South Mosman to Chowder Bay

  • This is a new route that will replace existing routes 236 and 244.
  • Route 111 will operate between South Mosman and Chowder Bay via Mosman from early morning until early evening, seven days a week.
  • Customers travelling from Chowder Bay to the city can transfer to the frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) at Mosman Junction; customers from South Mosman travelling to Spit Junction on existing route 236 can transfer to the frequent route 100 at Mosman Junction.

Route 114
Balmoral Beach to Royal North Shore Hospital

  • This is a new route that will replace routes 245 and 257 in the Mosman area, and will replace route 144 serving RNS Hospital.
  • Customers travelling from Balmoral Beach to the city can transfer to the frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) at either Spit Junction or Neutral Bay Junction; customers travelling from the Mosman area to Willoughby can transfer from route 114 to route 343 at Crows Nest.

Route 132
Warringah Mall to Manly via North Balgowlah

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by two new routes: route 162 between Seaforth, Balgowlah Heights and Manly, and route 172X between Warringah Mall, North Balgowlah and Seaforth.

Route 135
North Head to Warringah Mall via Manly

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 161 between Manly and North Head.

Route 136
Chatswood to Manly

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by frequent route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 166 between Manly, Freshwater, Dee Why and Frenchs Forest.

Route 139
Warringah Mall to Manly via South Curl Curl

This route will be renumbered as route 167 between Warringah Mall and Manly.

The route path of the existing service is unchanged, however, service frequency on route 167 will be increased to buses every 20 minutes throughout the day to support ferry connection at Manly.

Route 143
Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards

  • This route will be renumbered as part of the frequent route 144 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards).

Route 146
Wheeler Heights to Manly

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 179 between Wheeler Heights and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to the frequent route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) at Dee Why.

Route 151
Mona Vale to City via Manly (late night service)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced with additional overnight services on routes B1 (B-Line), 144N and 199 (Avalon to Manly).

Route 155
Bayview Garden Village to Northern Beaches Hospital

  • No change.

Route 156
McCarrs Creek to Mona Vale

  • There will be minor changes to this route with commencement and termination on Park Street, Mona Vale.

Route 158
Cromer to Manly

  • This route will be withdrawn. Alternative services will be available on routes 179 and 180 from Parkes Road or Fisher Road North.

Route 159
Dee Why to Manly

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 177 between Dee Why and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to the frequent route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) at Warringah Mall.

Route 161
Manly to North Head

  • New route. This route will replace route 135 between Manly and North Head.

Route 162
Seaforth to Manly

  • This route will replace route 132 between Seaforth and Manly.

Route 166
Frenchs Forest to Manly via Dee Why Beach

  • New route. This route will replace existing route 136 between Frenchs Forest and Manly.

Route 167
Warringah Mall to Manly via South Curl Curl

  • New route. This route is the renumbered 139 route between Warringah Mall and Manly.

Route 168
North Balgowlah to Milsons Point

  • This route will be withdrawn. Between Warringah Mall, North Balgowlah and Neutral Bay Junction this route will be replaced by route 172X. Customers travelling to North Sydney can transfer to route 154X at Spit Junction.

Route 169

Manly to City via Narraweena This route will be withdrawn and replaced by a number of other routes, comprising:

  • frequent Route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 193 between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest
  • frequent Route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) between Dee Why and Manly
  • Route 141 between Frenchs Forest and Seaforth
  • Route 172X between Seaforth and the City
  • Route 174X between Narraweena and Allambie Road

Route 170
Manly to City

  • This route will be withdrawn. Customers travelling to the city can use the F1 ferry service, or route 144 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards) to Spit Junction and transferring to route B1 (B-Line).

Route 173
Narraweena to Milsons Point

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by a number of routes, comprising:

  • frequent Route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 193 between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest
  • frequent Route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) between Dee Why and Manly
  • Route 141 between Frenchs Forest and Seaforth
  • Route 172X between Seaforth and the City
  • Route 174X between Narraweena and Allambie Road
  • Customers travelling to North Sydney can transfer to route 154X at Dee Why, route 260 at Frenchs Forest or route 230 at Neutral Bay, Watson Street.

Route 177
Dee Why to Warringah Mall

  • New route. This route will replace route 159 between Dee Why (Pacific Parade) and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to frequent route 199 at Warringah Mall (Pittwater Rd).

Route 178
Cromer Heights to Warringah Mall

  • This route will change to operate between Cromer Heights and Warringah Mall only, and no longer operate to or from the city.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.
  • Service frequency will be increased throughout the week to support connections to the B-line at Dee Why.

Route 179
Wheeler Height to Warringah Mall

  • This route replaces route 146 between Wheeler Heights and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to Manly can transfer to the frequent route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) at Dee Why.

Route 180
Collaroy Plateau to Warringah Mall

  • This route will change to operate between Collaroy Plateau and Warringah Mall only, and no longer operate to or from the city.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.
  • Service frequency will be increased throughout the week to support connections to the B-line at Dee Why.
  • During weekday peak periods, route 180X will continue to provide direct City access.

Route 185
Mona Vale to Narrabeen via Warriewood Valley

  • This route will change to operate between Mona Vale and Narrabeen only.
  • Customers travelling to Warringah Mall can transfer to frequent routes B1 (B-Line) or route 199 at Narrabeen.
  • Service frequency will be increased during weekday peak periods and evenings to support connections to the B-line and frequent route 199 at Narrabeen.

Route 188
Mona Vale to City (late night service)

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new overnight services on routes B1 (B-Line), 144N and 199.

Route 199
Palm Beach to Manly

  • Route 199 will be upgraded to a frequent route. The route path of this service will remain unchanged.

Route 227
Mosman Junction to Milsons Point

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional trips on route 230.

Route 236
South Mosman Wharf to Spit Junction

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 111 between South Mosman Wharf and Mosman Junction.
  • Customers travelling to Spit Junction can transfer to frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) or new route 114 at Mosman Junction.

Route 244
Chowder Bay to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 111 between Chowder Bay and Mosman Junction.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) at Mosman Junction, or connect to regular ferry services at South Mosman wharf.

Route 245
Balmoral to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 114 (Balmoral Beach to RNS Hospital).
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route 100 (Mosman to City) on Military Road or frequent City buses at Cremorne or Neutral Bay.

Route 247
Mosman (Taronga Zoo) to City

  • This route will be upgraded to a frequent route and renumbered to route 100.

Route 248
Seaforth to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by frequent route 144 (Manly to Chatswood via St Leonards) in Seaforth, and routes 172X, 173X and 249 on Spit Road Mosman.

Route 257
Chatswood to Balmoral via Crows Nest

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 114 between Balmoral Beach and Crows Nest.
  • Customers travelling towards Willoughby can transfer to route 343 at Crows Nest.

Route 430
Mosman (Taronga Zoo) to Sydenham via City (region 6 route)

  • This route will change to operate between the City and Sydenham only, and no longer operate to or from Taronga Zoo.
  • Services between Taronga Zoo and the City will be replaced by frequent route 100.

Route 144N
Manly to North Sydney (late night service)

New route. Route 144N will operate as a new overnight route between North Sydney and Manly, operating seven nights a week, with connections to and from B-line services at Neutral Bay.

Route 154X
Dee Why to Milsons Point

  • This route will change to operate between Dee Why and Milsons Point only, and no longer operate between Mona Vale and Dee Why.
  • Customers between Mona Vale and Dee Why can catch frequent routes B1 (B-Line) or frequent route 199 from Mona Vale to Dee Why and transfer to route 154X for travel to North Sydney.

Route 160X
Mona Vale to Chatswood

  • Route 160X will be upgraded to a frequent route operating limited stops between Dee Why, Frenchs Forest and Chatswood.
  • Customers from Mona Vale to Dee Why can catch frequent route B1 or route 199 and transfer to route 160X for travel to Chatswood.

Route 166X
Allambie Heights to City

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 174X, with additional services provided during morning and afternoon peak periods.

Route 168X
North Balgowlah to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 172X.

Route 169X
Manly to City via Narraweena

This route will be withdrawn and replaced by a number of other routes comprising:

  • frequent Route 160X (Dee Why to Chatswood via Frenchs Forest [limited stops]) and route 193 between Narraweena and Frenchs Forest
  • frequent Route 199 (Palm Beach to Manly via Mona Vale and Dee Why) between Dee Why and Manly
  • Route 141 between Frenchs Forest and Seaforth
  • Route 172X between Seaforth and the City
  • Route 174X between Narraweena and Allambie Road

Route 171X
Manly to City via Clontarf

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 162 between Manly and Seaforth.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to new route 172X at Sydney Road, Seaforth.
  • Additional service frequency will be provided on route 162 during weekday peak periods to support connections to route 172X at Seaforth shops.

Route 172X
Warringah Mall to City Wynyard via North Balgowlah

  • New route. This is a new route that will operate between Warringah Mall, North Balgowlah, Seaforth and the city.
  • Services will run from around 6am to midnight, seven days a week.
  • Route 172X will replace existing route 168X services in North Balgowlah and 169 and 169X services in the Seaforth area.

Route 173X
Warringah Mall to City Wynyard via Balgowlah Shops

  • New route. Route 173X will replace existing route 175X, 178 and 180 services between Warringah Mall, Balgowlah shops and the city.
  • Services will run from around 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

Route 174X
Narraweena to City Wynyard

  • New route. Route 174X will replace existing route 166X from Allambie Heights to the City, and route 169X between Narraweena and Skyline Shops.
  • Additional services will operate during morning and afternoon peak periods.

Route 175X
Warringah Mall to City via Balgowlah Shops

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by new route 173X. The route path of the existing service is unchanged.
  • Services will run from around 5am to midnight, seven days a week.

Route 178X
Cromer Heights to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 178 between Cromer Heights, Dee Why and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.

Route 179X
Wheeler Heights to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 179 between Wheeler Heights, Dee Why and Warringah Mall.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) at Dee Why.
  • Additional services will operate during morning and afternoon peak periods on route 179.

Route 181X
Narrabeen to City Wynyard

New route. Route 181X will operate during weekday peak periods between Narrabeen and the City.

Route 183X
North Narrabeen to City via Elanora Heights

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 182 between North Narrabeen, Elanora Heights and Narrabeen.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) or new route 181X at Narrabeen.

Route 185X
Mona Vale to City via Warriewood Valley

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 185 between Mona Vale and Narrabeen.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to the frequent route B1 (B-Line) or new 181X at Narrabeen.

Route 188X
North Avalon to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by route 190X.
  • Customers can catch frequent route 199 to Avalon and transfer to route 190X for travel to the city.

Route 189X
Avalon to City

  • This route will be withdrawn and replaced by additional services on route 191 between Bilgola Plateau and Avalon.
  • Customers travelling to the city can transfer to route 190X at Avalon.

Route 190X
Avalon to City Wynyard

  • This route will be changed to operate between Avalon and the city during weekday peak periods only, replacing existing routes 188X and 189X.
  • Buses will run frequently during weekday peak periods.
  • During weekday off peak times and on weekends, customers travelling from Palm Beach, Avalon or Newport to or from the City can use new frequent route 199 and transfer to route B1 B-line services at Mona Vale.

Routes B1, 142, 182, 191, 192, 228, 229, 230, 243, 246, 249, 263, 150X, 165X, 170X, 176X, 177X and 180X

There will minor timetable changes for these routes.

Routes 137, 141, 145, 193, 201, 225 and 238

There will be no changes to these routes.