Residents angered over possible permanent bus route change

Residents are angered over potential plans to permanently re-route the 389 bus from Bourke Street to Palmer Street in Darlinghurst.

Last year the route was temporarily re-directed along Palmer Street while the Bouke Street bike path was being built.

But in a letter to residents last year, Lord Mayor Clover Moore, said the Sydney Transit Authority (STA) had “asked the City to investigate permanently changing both the inbound and outbound route to Palmer Street because the route avoids congestion caused by the drop off and pick up of students in front of SCEGGS Darlinghurst on Bouke Street”.

But President of the East Sydney Neighbourhood Association, Doug Purdie, said Palmer Street is a quiet residential street and using it as a bus route is complete “madness”.

“As far as I’m concerned, the bus route should go back to way it was,” he said.

He said the current bus route in Palmer Street is inappropriate and unnecessary.

“The current temporary bus route in Palmer Street means the bus must drive over roundabout and onto the wrong side of the road in Stanley Street to navigate the corner- it is dangerous,” he said.

Residents on Palmer Street are concerned with engine and traffic noise generated by the 389 bus.

“It is an extremely frequent service and has been causing considerable disturbance to the neighbourhood,” said resident, Paul Cummins.

Mr Cummins said all local residents shared the same view and have started a petition to voice their concerns.

“We request the Palmer Street route not become permanent given the excessive noise the buses make and the effect this has on residents’ sleep and the effect on various cafes and restaurants along Palmer Street,” he said.

Mr Purdie also said the creation of bus shelters would mean a loss of on-street parking, which is already under pressure in the area.

“East Sydney has a very limited number of parking spots with more taken (recently) for car share,” he said.

“Moving the bus to Palmer Street would mean more parking spots lost to allow for the bus stops.”

But the STA has denied they have approached Council to make the 389 bus route changes permanent.

“State Transit has not approached Council to have the Route 389 permanently travel along Palmer Street,” a State Transit spokesperson said.

“We are working with Council to ensure that Route 389 services will re-divert out of Palmer Street and safely resume their usual route along Bourke Street, once all construction is complete.”

But a City of Sydney spokesperson said due to the bike path being completed, they will work with the STA to decide whether permanent changes will be made.

“The service is currently using a temporary Palmer Street route during construction of the Bouke Street bike path,” the spokesperson said.

“As the works are completed, STA and the City will work together to identify if any continued modifications are needed for the bus route.”

The City of Sydney maintains the local community will be consulted before any changes are made.

“The City and STA will consult with residents, businesses and the local community before any decisions are made,” a City of Sydney spokesperson said.

By Sophie Cousins