Metrobus (Sydney)

History

The network originally operated along bus trunk routes through the inner suburbs, but passed through the CBD rather than terminating there. This reduced overcrowding on the trunk routes without needing to layover extra buses in the CBD. This concept was later diluted with the network's expansion to include long distance routes servicing major activity centres in outer suburbs.

The first route, M10 from Leichhardt to Kingsford, began operation on a 12-month trial basis on 12 October 2008. During this period nine regular and six high-capacity buses with different seating arrangements were dedicated to the route.

In March 2009 an expansion of the Metrobus network with the addition of four further routes serving the inner suburbs (M20, M30, M40, M50) was announced.

In July 2010 it was announced a further eight new Metrobus routes were to be rolled out in 2011 to service suburbs in Sydney's west, north, north-west, south and south-west (M41, M52, M54, M60, M61, M90, M91, M92). This saw Hillsbus and Veolia Transport (now Transdev NSW) become Metrobus operators.

Tickets & fares

All Sydney Buses Metrobus services use the Automated Fare Collection System to validate tickets. Metrobus routes M10, M20, M30, M40 and M50 are full-time pre-pay only services and require passengers to purchase a ticket before boarding. All Metrobus routes are also Opal active.

M10: Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction

M10 runs from Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction via Parramatta Road and Anzac Parade, and commenced on 12 October 2008. The M10 Metrobus service connects with Sydney Trains stations at Central and Museum. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Broadway, Railway Square, Cleveland Street, and Kingsford.

On 28 December 2008, the M10 was curtailed to Leichhardt Town Hall no longer operating to MarketPlace due to issues raised by Leichhardt Council regarding buses laying over in Lords Road. On 14 November 2010 the M10 was extended to the corner of Norton and William Streets at Leichhardt Pioneer Park. On 26 October 2009, the M10 was extended from Kingsford to Maroubra Junction. The M10 originally proceeded up George Street before turning into Park and Elizabeth Streets. On 4 October 2015, it was altered to operate via Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue and Elizabeth Street.

When the CBD and South East Light Rail opens in 2019, it is proposed to abolish the Eastern Suburbs section (City to Maroubra Junction section).

M20: Gore Hill to Botany

M20 runs from Gore Hill to Botany via the Pacific Highway, Town Hall station and Botany Road, and commenced on 26 October 2009. The M20 metrobus service connects with Sydney Trains stations at St Leonards, North Sydney, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square.

On 27 February 2011, the M20 was extended from Mascot to Botany shops.

M30: Spit Junction to Sydenham

M30 runs from Spit Junction to Sydenham station via Military Road, Town Hall station and King Street, and commenced on 28 March 2010. The M30 connects with Sydney Trains stations at Wynyard, Town Hall, Central, Newtown and Sydenham. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Neutral Bay Junction, Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. This service was originally planned to terninate at Enmore Park although Sydenham was chosen as a more appropriate terminus. The M30 originally operated between Town Hall and Central stations via George Street. On 4 October 2015 it was diverted to operate via Park and Elizabeth Streets and Eddy Avenue.

M40: Chatswood to Bondi Junction

M40 runs from Chatswood station to Bondi Junction station via Willoughby Road, Wynyard station, Town Hall station and Oxford Street, and commenced on 18 July 2010. The M40 connects with Sydney Trains stations at Chatswood, Wynyard, Town Hall, Museum and Bondi Junction stations. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Chatswood, Queen Victoria Building, Wynyard, and Bondi Junction.

M41: Hurstville to Marsfield

M41 runs from Hurstville to Marsfield via Bexley North, Clemton Park, Campsie, Burwood, Concord Hospital, Top Ryde City and Macquarie Centre, and commenced on 19 December 2010. The M41 connects passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Hurstville, Bexley North, Campsie, Burwood, Rhodes, Macquarie Park and Macquarie University. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Hurstville, Top Ryde City and Macquarie Centre.

M50: Drummoyne to Coogee

M50 runs from Drummoyne to Coogee Beach via Victoria Road, the Anzac Bridge, CBD, Fox Studios, Anazc Parade, University of New South Wales, Prince Of Wales Hospital and The Spot, and commenced on 31 October 2010. The M50 connects with Sydney Trains stations at Town Hall, and Museum. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to the Moore Park area. This service was originally planned to terminate at Randwick although Coogee Beach was decided to be a more appropriate terminus.

When the CBD and South East Light Rail opens in 2019, it is proposed to abolish the Eastern Suburbs section (City to Coogee section).

M52: Parramatta to Circular Quay

M52 runs from Parramatta to Circular Quay via Victoria Road, Top Ryde City, Town Hall station and commenced on 8 August 2010. The M52 connects passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, West Ryde, Town Hall, St James and Circular Quay. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Top Ryde, Queen Victoria Building and Circular Quay. It has replaced route L20 and is supplemented by the 520 route outside of the Metrobus operating hours. The M52 originally proceeded down George Street. On 4 October 2015 it was diverted to operate via Park and Elizabeth Streets.

M54: Parramatta to Macquarie Park

M54 runs from Parramatta station to Macquarie Park via Carlingford and Epping, and commenced on 10 October 2010. The M54 connects with Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Carlingford, Epping, Macquarie University, and Macquarie Park. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Epping, and Macquarie Centre. It replaced route 548, which was previously former Harris Park Transport route 624.

M60: Parramatta to Hornsby

M60 runs from Parramatta station to Hornsby via Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh and Normanhurst, and commenced on 7 March 2011. It connects with Parramatta, Pennant Hills and Hornsby Sydney Trains stations and other bus services at major interchanges Parramatta, Castle Hill and Hornsby. It replaced daytime 600 services between Parramatta and Castle Hill which operate early morning and late night and one in the afternoon on weekdays and some limited 600 services between Parramatta and Cherrybrook.

M61: Castle Hill to Queen Victoria Building

M61 runs from Castle Hill to the Queen Victoria Building via Baulkham Hills and the M2 Motorway and complements the existing 610X service. It commenced on 20 December 2010. The M61 allows passengers to connect with services to Kellyville, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Bella Vista and Stanhope Gardens at bus stops along the M2 Motorway, as well as the Castle Hill Interchange. The M61 originally continued south of the Queen Victoria Building to Railway Square via George Street until 4 October 2015 when it was curtailed.

M90: Burwood to Liverpool

M90 runs from Westfield Burwood to Liverpool station via Strathfield, Chullora, Greenacre, Bankstown, Milperra and Moorebank, and commenced on 6 December 2010. The M90 service replaced the 900 service and connects with Sydney Trains stations at Burwood, Strathfield, Bankstown, and Liverpool. It also allows passengers to transfer to other buses in Burwood, Strathfield, Bankstown and Liverpool. The M90 also connects with the M91 and M92 services at Bankstown and with the Liverpool-Parramatta T-way.

M91: Parramatta to Hurstville

M91 runs from Parramatta to Hurstville via Granville, Chester Hill, Yagoona, Bankstown, Padstow, Peakhurst and Penshurst, and commenced on 7 February 2011. The M91 service replaced the 910 and 948 services and connects with Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Granville, Chester Hill, Yagoona, Bankstown, Padstow, and Hurstville. The M91 connects with the M52, M54, M60 and M92 services at Parramatta, the M90 and M92 services at Bankstown and the M41 at Hurstville as well as connecting with local bus services.

M92: Parramatta to Sutherland

M92 runs from Parramatta station to Sutherland via Lidcombe, Bankstown, Padstow and Menai and began 14 March 2011, it was the last Metrobus route launched. it connects with the Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Rosehill, Lidcombe, Bankstown, Padstow and Sutherland.

Fleet

The Metrobus bus fleet consists of buses sourced from various manufacturers with differing seating arrangements. All Metrobuses have low floor entry, are wheelchair accessible, fully air conditioned and contain digital CCTV surveillance. All are painted in a dedicated red livery although other buses are used.

Sydney Buses

Sydney Buses Metrobuses are operated from Burwood, Leichhardt, Port Botany, Ryde, Waverley, North Sydney, Willoughby, Randwick and Tempe depots. As at April 2013 the fleet consisted of:

Articulated buses

Rigid buses

Hillsbus

Hillsbus Metrobuses are operated from the Northmead, Foundry Road (Seven Hills) and Dural depots.

Transdev NSW

Transdev NSW Metrobuses are operated from the Bankstown, Menai and South Granville depots