New Bus Routes, More Rail Services Dominate Inner West Council Transport Plan

The Inner West Council has unveiled a vision for public transport investment, proposing a major bus network expansion and more rail services.

The brief, seven-page report aims to facilitate increased housing density. Proposals include ‘turn-up-and-go’ buses on Parramatta and Victoria roads, routes through WestConnex and the under-construction Western Harbour Tunnel, and new links from White Bay to Sydenham and Ashfield to Five Dock, connecting metro and suburban trains. A light rail line on Parramatta Road is suggested as an alternative to more frequent buses.

It calls for infrastructure upgrades allowing more frequent L1 Dulwich Hill services, namely duplicating the last 250 metres of the line. More heavy rail services stopping at Croydon, Summer Hill, Lewisham, Petersham and Stanmore are supported.

Recommendations for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure include another ‘GreenWay’ from Ashfield to Iron Cove. A Sydenham Road cycleway would run from Wicks Park to Sydenham station, a Johnston Street route from Parramatta Road to the under-construction Bays West station, a route paralleling Parramatta Road between Tebbutt Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road, and a Victoria Road path from Iron Cove Bridge to the city centre, adjoining the Johnston Street cycleway at Bays West before crossing the Glebe Island Bridge.

Transport monitoring population growth

“People across Sydney recognise we need more homes,” said Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne. “They also expect the transport infrastructure that makes those homes work.”

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said that many themes identified by the council form part of current planning.

“The NSW Government has already delivered significant public transport improvements across the Inner West in recent years, including increased train frequencies at Croydon, Summer Hill, Lewisham, Petersham and Stanmore, substantial uplifts to L1 light rail services, and more frequent bus services on key Inner West corridors including Victoria Road.” Since June, the new route 52 runs from Hyde Park to Parramatta via Victoria Road, replacing the less frequent 500X and 500N.

“More than 650 additional weekly light rail services have been introduced since June 2023, significantly increasing capacity and frequency. Any future major increase would require additional investment in light rail infrastructure and network capacity.”

“Transport planning is undertaken alongside land use planning, population forecasts and housing growth strategies to help ensure public transport services and infrastructure meet the needs of growing communities.”

Projects must be delivered, says MP

Greens Balmain MLA Kobi Shetty said that she has “been working with the community to push the state government to deliver light rail on Parramatta Road, and more capacity and frequency on the Inner West Light Rail for a number of years, so it’s good to see council finally getting on board.” 

“The key focus now needs to be on ensuring these projects are delivered up front so that any increases to housing density have sufficient services for current and future residents.”

“We already have major crowding on the light rail, our bus services aren’t up to scratch and there’s very little connected cycling infrastructure. The government needs to work with the council to ensure these new projects are delivered quickly; they can’t be an afterthought once all the development is finalised.”

More detail needed – expert

David Levinson is Professor of Transport at the University of Sydney School of Civil Engineering. He noted that “all of these things are fine to want, but it is not very visionary,” and the council’s vision lacks detail.

“They punted on asking for light rail on Parramatta Road, rather than say, envisioning buses now, including bus lanes and traffic signal priority for buses, and light rail later. Same with Victoria Road, they should have called for light rail. It is not like they are paying for it, but they seem to be conceding the case before asking for what they want.”

“They missed an opportunity to call for lower speed limits on streets in residential and commercial areas and around schools, and other traffic-calming and pedestrian improvements to make it easier and safer to walk around for transport, not just recreation.”

“Buses on WestConnex is good, and it was promised by the proponents of WestConnex when it was approved. Councils should not have to ask for things that were already committed.”