Shocktober: Sydney CBD bus changes
Preparations for the Sydney city Light Rail project will see the biggest overhaul of CBD transport in a generation.
The chaos has been dubbed 'Shocktober' but here is all the information you need to know about the changes.
For all the latest information on timetables and maps log onto the Transport for NSW webpage.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance, Minister for Roads Duncan Gay and CBD Coordinator General Marg Prendergast said an Olympics-style Joint Operations Centre is being established to ensure route changes are successful for bus customers and other road users.
“Experts will troubleshoot emerging issues, police motorcycle response teams will be on CBD streets to manage congestion and bus marshals will be helping customers board and alight at busy stops,” Mr Constance said.
“We’ll keep a watching brief - if we see areas where we can make improvements, where the new network presents problems, we’ll deal with it as soon as possible.”
“This is one of the biggest projects, one of the biggest challenges this city will ever face – we’ve been working hard to make it work,” Mr Gay said.
“More than 300,000 pamphlets and bus route brochures have been issued to customers, road works at critical locations will make it easier for buses to use the new routes and bus lanes and bus stops have been moved ahead of the network changes.”
CBD Coordinator General Marg Prendergast said she expected teething problems as bus customers and bus drivers got used to the changes.
“With any major change, it will take some time to bed-in, so we expect some issues will present themselves in the first days and weeks, but we will overcome that, improve the network where we can and support customers and staff,” Ms Prendergast said.
“Habits are hard to break, and there’s every chance a bus might take a wrong turn at some point – that’s why these changes are happening now, before we begin to close sections of George Street for light rail construction.”
More information can also be found here on the Transport for NSW site.
Transport for NSW staff will be in the city wearing pink and carrying signs in the CBD will guide commuters in the right direction, both before and after the changes take effect.
