Bus driver shortage forces service reduction in Sydney’s north
A private bus operator has warned that less frequent services will continue until enough drivers are recruited to fill holes in the roster.
A shortage of bus drivers has forced a NSW government-contracted operator to temporarily reduce the frequency of services on Sydney’s north shore and west, covering routes from Chatswood to the CBD, Macquarie Park and Parramatta.
Busways has been operating services at reduced levels since December 22, and has warned that it will continue until enough drivers are recruited.
The company said the bus timetable would be temporarily adjusted from Friday, advising that extra cancellations were possible. A planned holiday timetable from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day – whereby services are less frequent than usual – has helped ease disruption caused by the driver shortage.
Busways has been forced to reduce services.Credit: Jessica Hromas
Busways is short 50 drivers in the north shore and west area it operates, which it said was due to a new enterprise agreement requiring it to increase the number of drivers at its Ryde and Willoughby depots to operate services.
“Transport for NSW and Busways are working to restore service to normal levels as soon as possible,” a spokesperson said. “We encourage passengers to check trip planners before travel. Around 1.6 per cent of trips will be affected across the north shore and west network.”
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The company said any service adjustments would be targeted to minimise disruption, considering passenger feedback and travel and boarding patterns, and with a focus on higher frequency routes.
Busways and Transport for NSW have been running bus driver recruitment campaigns since October, and 14 drivers are progressing through various stages of the company’s training program and expected to start driving passengers within the next six weeks.
The company also has about 90 applications under assessment, and is offering a sign-on incentive of up to $6000 for applicants holding a heavy vehicle licence to attract qualified candidates.
Government data shows Sydney had a shortage of 131 bus drivers in November, compared to 176 in the same month a year earlier. Driver vacancies have reduced significantly since recording 420 in August 2023.
The government has also purchased 50 new diesel-powered bendy buses and 10 B-line double-deck buses in a bid to end long queues for commuters left waiting for services on routes along the city’s northern beaches and north shore.
