Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

The City has accepted the Minister for Transport's offer to work cooperatively on its CBD Bus Strategy and has agreed to the State Government's short-term bus improvements, while continuing to work toward a long-term integrated public transport solution for inner Sydney.

To improve CBD buses, the Ministry for Transport is proposing immediate work to consolidate bus routes on George and Elizabeth Street, increase bus clearway hours to 6-10am and 3-8pm weekdays, create a mid-city interchange precinct around Town Hall, prioritise buses in traffic signal phasing, and investigate a transit mall on George Street between Bridge and Market Streets.

A second stage, in three to five years, involves new larger hybrid diesel/electric buses, allowing only pre-paid fare boarding in the CBD, real time information at bus shelters, and possible use of mobile phones and the internet for real-time transport information and pre-paid ticket purchase.

While I welcome action on public transport, the CBD Bus Strategy falls short of the integrated system needed. Buses are suitable for suburban and outer areas, but don't have the capacity needed for the city centre—and city streets don't have the capacity for more and more buses.

Inner Sydney needs a bigger investment over a shorter timeframe to create a mass transit system that will meet the growing need. An efficient and integrated transport system is crucial to the continued prosperity of the city and is a key focus area for our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision.

The State Government has the power impose the extended bus clearway restrictions, which involve George Street between Grosvenor and Harris; Clarence between Jamison and Druitt; York between Grosvenor and Druitt; and Elizabeth between Market and Liverpool. There will be no parking and loading zones in these streets while the clearways are in force.

The potential benefits for bus travel time need to be balanced against the negative impact of fast moving buses in clearways next to the footpath on pedestrian and cycle safety, and CBD retailers and other businesses. The City is seeking detailed analysis of the impact of these extended hours within 12 months of their implementation.

The City's draft submission to the Ministry of Transport also includes:

* A proposal to work with the Ministry to ensure that the recommendations from Sydney 2030 and the Professor Gehl's Public Spaces and Public Life Study projects are considered;

* A request that the Ministry work with the City to achieve a 40 km/h speed limit in central Sydney; and

* A request that the Ministry investigate relocating bus travel lanes from the kerbside, as already occurs on Castlereagh Street, as part of its consolidation of bus corridors in the CBD.

Following extensive discussion at Council this week, the City's draft submission on the CBD Bus Strategy will be finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Transport next week.