For months, commuters in Sydney’s Lower North Shore have battled packed buses and long wait times. Relief is coming as the government plans to roll out a new fleet of high-capacity buses.
New Buses to Ease Lower North Shore Commuter Chaos
Frustration has mounted across Sydney’s Lower North Shore, where thousands of commuters have endured lengthy delays and overcrowded buses due to ongoing service disruptions. The NSW government has now confirmed that 60 new high-capacity buses will be introduced to restore reliability and improve transport conditions in the affected areas.
Why Lower North Shore Commuters Have Been Struggling
The crisis began in October 2024, when 83 Volvo articulated buses were pulled from service due to safety concerns over chassis cracks. These buses primarily operated in the Lower North Shore and Northern Beaches, leaving commuters scrambling for transport alternatives. Delays lasted over an hour in most locations, with packed services leaving passengers waiting for as long as several buses before they could get a seat.
The government plan includes 50 new articulated buses and 10 double-deckers, which are meant to cut congestion and increase overall capacity. Transport Minister John Graham conceded that the takeout of the fleet had created big holes in the service, particularly during the peak hours
New Buses on the Way – But Not All at Once
While commuters can expect some relief soon, full restoration will take time. Officials confirmed that six of the withdrawn buses will be reintroduced in April, with additional buses phased in throughout the year. The 60 new buses that will be procured will be rolled out within the next 12 months, focusing on the worst-hit areas.
The Lower North Shore has been one of the worst-hit regions, with suburbs like Mosman, Neutral Bay, and North Sydney suffering from rampant transport bottlenecks. Northern Beaches commuters such as Manly, Dee Why, and Mona Vale have also suffered from extended waiting times, resulting in resident frustration.
The new fleet, under plan by state lawmakers, will be used to enhance passenger capacity and restore frequency to the most affected bus routes.
Community Relief is on the Horizon
The response from local leaders has been generally positive, though some have cautioned that relief won’t be immediate. North Shore MP Felicity Wilson acknowledged that residents had been dealing with an unreliable transport network for months but said the staged rollout of new buses would gradually restore normalcy.
Officials have assured residents that once the new fleet is fully operational, peak-hour congestion will ease, and service levels will return to pre-disruption standards. While commuters remain frustrated, the commitment to improving transport in the Lower North Shore is now set in motion.
Published 13-March-2025