In October 2019, the NSW Government made the decision to no longer directly operate bus services in NSW. As a result, the Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service contracts for State Transit’s Regions 7 (North), 8 (West) and 9 (East) will be transitioned to private transport operators.
Request for tender
Other transport operators will be invited to bid for the operation of Regions 7, 8 and 9 via a competitive, open market tender process. The new operator(s) will be accountable to the NSW Government through its contract with Transport for NSW.
Contact arrangements
The successful bidder(s) for Regions 7, 8 and 9 will operate under a franchise contract with Transport for NSW which will include minimum service standards. Private operator(s) will have to meet high performance standards for safety, reliability, customer satisfaction and cleanliness.
The NSW Government will continue to:
own State Transit buses in Regions 7, 8 and 9, and all depot sites;
regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities; and
set fares under the Opal card system.
All public and private bus operators in NSW are required to observe mandatory safety standards under the terms of their contract with Transport for NSW. Under the contract, the NSW Government will set minimum service standards and performance indicators.
The new operator(s) will have a level of autonomy to work with the community and undertake the consultation process required to design a network that meets local needs — but the NSW Government will always have the final say.
Changes to working arrangements, including to schedules and depots, will only be made in consultation with staff and in accordance with the relevant Award or Enterprise Agreement at the time.
Decision to go to tender
In October 2019, the NSW Government made the decision to no longer directly operate bus services in NSW. As a result, the Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service contracts for State Transit’s Regions 7 (North), 8 (West) and 9 (East) will be transitioned to private transport operators.
Request for tender
Other transport operators will be invited to bid for the operation of Regions 7, 8 and 9 via a competitive, open market tender process. The new operator(s) will be accountable to the NSW Government through its contract with Transport for NSW.
Contact arrangements
The successful bidder(s) for Regions 7, 8 and 9 will operate under a franchise contract with Transport for NSW which will include minimum service standards. Private operator(s) will have to meet high performance standards for safety, reliability, customer satisfaction and cleanliness.
The NSW Government will continue to:
own State Transit buses in Regions 7, 8 and 9, and all depot sites;
regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities; and
set fares under the Opal card system.
All public and private bus operators in NSW are required to observe mandatory safety standards under the terms of their contract with Transport for NSW. Under the contract, the NSW Government will set minimum service standards and performance indicators.
The new operator(s) will have a level of autonomy to work with the community and undertake the consultation process required to design a network that meets local needs — but the NSW Government will always have the final say.
Changes to working arrangements, including to schedules and depots, will only be made in consultation with staff and in accordance with the relevant Award or Enterprise Agreement at the time.