TheLiverpool–Parramatta T-wayis a continuous series of bus-only lanes and bus roadways betweenParramattaandLiverpoolinWestern Sydney.Completed in February 2003, the 31 km (19.3 mi) T-way was the firstbus rapid transitinfrastructure to be built in Sydney.[1]
Liverpool–Parramatta T-way | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Operator | Transit Systems |
Began service | 2 February 2003 |
Route | |
Start | Liverpool station |
Via | Bonnyrigg |
End | Parramatta station |
Length | 31 km (19.3 mi) |
Design and construction
editA project of the thenNew South Wales Ministry of Transportand theRoads & Traffic Authority,the T-way cost $346 million to build.[2]
The route runs through the central business district ofParramatta,before heading onto theGreat Western HighwaytoSouth Wentworthville,after which it heads onto its own alignment next to theSydney Waterpipeline that runs fromProspect Reservoir.It then proceeds on its own alignment in an old freeway reservation through toHoxton Park.At Brickmakers' Creek inLiverpool,it heads onto its own alignment to the centre ofLiverpoolandLiverpool railway stationbus interchange. The system includes active traffic signal priority to give buses preference where the route crosses other roadways.[3]
Stations
editThe Liverpool–Parramatta T-way has 35 stations, spaced approximately every 800 metres. These stations are more substantial than conventional bus stops, which has led to criticism that the system is overly costly and vulnerable to vandalism. Stations featureclosed-circuit television,real-time information screens, emergency help points, audio announcements and extensive landscaping.[4]
One station,Parramatta Station,also forms part of theNorth-West T-way.The other stations are, from Parramatta:
- Pitt,near Pitt Street, Parramatta
- Mays Hill
- Coleman,near Coleman Street,South Wentworthville
- Finlayson,near Finlaysons Creek,South Wentworthville
- Centenary,on Centenary Road,South Wentworthville
- Sherwood,on Sherwood Road,Merrylands West
- Canal,near aSydney Watercanal and next toMerrylands High School,Merrylands West
- Woodpark
- Warren,near Warren Road, Smithfield
- Smithfield
- Cooper,near Cooper Street, Smithfield
- Gipps,near Gipps Road, Smithfield
- Hassall,near Hassall Street, Wetherill Park
- Wetherill Park
- Elizabeth,near Elizabeth Street, Wetherill Park
- Victoria,on Victoria Street, Wetherill Park
- Horsley,near The Horsley Drive, Wetherill Park
- Prairiewood
- Orphan School,nearOrphan School Creek,Bossley Park
- St Johns Park
- Clear Paddock,nearClear Paddock Creek,Greenfield Park
- Bonnyrigg
- Brown,near Brown Road,Bonnyrigg Heights
- Green Valley
- Busby
- Cartwright,near Cartwright Avenue, Hinchinbrook
- Hinchinbrook
- Miller
- Ash,near Ash Road,Cartwright
- Maxwells,near Maxwells Creek, Liverpool
- Brickmakers,nearBrickmakers Creek,Liverpool
- Memorial,near Memorial Avenue, Liverpool
- Macquarie,near Macquarie Street, Liverpool
- Liverpool,at Liverpool Station.
Originally there were 36 T-Way stops, however one T-Way stop closed pretty soon after the T-Way opened. Argyle T-Way was on Argyle Street, Parramatta allowing for passengers to alight for Westfield Parramatta.
Services
editThere are a number of services using portions of the T-way. The only service to have the prefix T is T80, which runs along the whole stretch of the T-way. In the financial year ended June 2012, 2.77 million passengers used the T-way services.[5]
Provision of the service T80 was put out to tender and an eight-year contract awarded toWestern Sydney Buses.[2]Services were initially provided by 17 natural-gasMercedes-Benz O405NH buses in blue and yellow T-way livery. These were replaced in 2004 by dieselVolvo B12BLEs.
Since October 2013, services have been operated byTransit Systems Sydneyas part of itsSydney Bus Region 3contract.[5]All State Transit bus fleet used for the T-way were transferred to Transit Systems Sydney. The liveries of these buses still show the colours of State Transit, blue and white, with some now in the Transport NSW livery. Buses inherited from State Transit had on-board audio announcements and green automatic validating machines which have since been replaced by Opal validators like other buses. Now it uses double deck, bendy and rigid buses.
T80 was the first Rapid bus route in Sydney.[1]
References
edit- ^abTransit Systems secures Region 6 Bus Contract (Final Paragraph)Transit Systems
- ^abAuditor General's Report Liverpool to Parramatta Bus TransitwayArchived20 April 2013 at theWayback MachineAuditor General of NSW December 2005
- ^Currie, Graham (2010). "Bus Rapid Transit in Australasia: An Update on Progress".Built Environment.36(3): 334.doi:10.2148/benv.36.3.328.JSTOR23289722.
- ^Jordan Baker (25 August 2006)."Transport's vision splendid running at only half capacity".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 19 October 2012.Retrieved4 January2007.
- ^abState Transit Authority Annual ReportArchived19 February 2014 at theWayback MachineState Transport Authority 30 June 2012