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If you’ve ever stood at a bus stop in Western Sydney wondering whether your ride is running on vibes alone, relief is on the way. A major transport boost is landing this winter, with five new permanent bus routes set to connect communities from Penrith to Campbelltown – and crucially, to the long-awaited Western Sydney International Airport.
From July 5, a handful of routes (790, 845, 825, 860 and 772) will begin running, an estimated three months ahead of passenger flights taking off. That means locals, construction workers and airport staff will have a reliable way to get in and out of the new airport well before the first suitcase hits the carousel.
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According to Transport for NSW, buses will run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week. The routes will link key hubs including Liverpool and Mount Druitt, stitching together communities that have long been overlooked when it comes to public transport.
And in excellent news for the planet, the fleet is going green. A total of 43 new electric buses will hit the roads, promising quieter, smoother rides (and less diesel drama). They’ll come decked out with air-conditioning, low-floor access and luggage racks – small details that make a big difference when you’re schlepping bags in the middle of summer.
This rollout is part of a hefty $302.7 million investment in new routes, within a broader $362.7 million commitment to Western Sydney bus services. It also dovetails with the interim “WSI Link”, which will connect the airport to St Mary’s train station until the metro line is up and running.
But the upgrades don’t stop at the buses themselves. There’s funding on the table for new shelters (a welcome addition in one of Sydney’s hottest regions), depot electrification and road improvements along Badgerys Creek Road to make access safer and smoother.
In short: Western Sydney’s long-running bus drought is breaking. You can find out more and plan your journey over here.
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