Transition of State Transit Regions 7, 8 & 9

The NSW Government will invite the world’s leading public transport operators to bid for Greater Sydney metropolitan bus contracts 7, 8 and 9.

Franchising Great Sydney Bus contracts 7, 8 & 9 is about seeking out opportunities to continually provide service improvements and new innovations in technology for our customers and community.

Keeping our people informed through the entire process – from tender to takeover– is the priority.

Know what this transition means for you.


The NSW Government will invite the world’s leading public transport operators to bid for Greater Sydney metropolitan bus contracts 7, 8 and 9.

Franchising Great Sydney Bus contracts 7, 8 & 9 is about seeking out opportunities to continually provide service improvements and new innovations in technology for our customers and community.

Keeping our people informed through the entire process – from tender to takeover– is the priority.

Know what this transition means for you.


  • Region 7 Tender Open

    The second of State Transit’s remaining three regions is now out for competitive tender with private operators invited to look at running Region 7, State Transit’s Western Region, which includes Ryde and Willoughby depots.

    While State Transit is not involved in finding the new operator, we are working closely with Transport for NSW to ensure our people are supported throughout the process.

    “The Region 7 contract is expected to be awarded in August 2021 with the new operator commencing services by early 2022,” said Daniela Fontana, State Transit CEO.

    “With the two-year employment guarantee for operational staff, our people at Ryde and Willoughby depots are guaranteed a job under the same conditions they have today until early 2024.”

    In making a transition to private operators, the NSW Government will continue to:

    • own State Transit buses and all other assets such as depots;
    • regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities; and
    • set fares as they are today, under the Opal system.

    The opening of the Region 7 tender follows Region 8 (Brookvale, Mona Vale and North Sydney depots) which commenced on Wednesday 24 June 2020. Region 8 is expected to be transitioned by October 2021.

    A first round of briefings for non-operational employees was held by the People and Culture team last month and we will continue to work with them to clarify their position as we get closer to transition. Career support will be available to all non-operational colleagues who are not offered a job with an incoming operator.

    There are many avenues if you feel you need support:

    • A variety of health, wellbeing and financial wellness resources available on the Benehub portal – www.benestar.com/user/login
    • Your depot’s Mental Health First Aider for onsite support
    • Access to our EAP (1300 360 364) if you need to talk to someone outside of the workplace, which includes managers that may need assistance with a work problem
    • Speaking with your one-up manager if you have any concerns about members of the team; and
    • Your People and Culture Business Partner or the Organisational Development Team if you need any assistance.

    A number of questions have been asked about the transition since it was announced. You can find answers to these—and more—on the Stay Informed website. If you have a question you can’t find an answer to, please speak with your manager or contact the People and Culture team via stayinformed@sta.nsw.gov.au.



  • Region 8 Tender Open

    The announcement to open the competitive tender process for State Transit’s Northern Region (Brookvale, Mona Vale and North Sydney depots) was made by the NSW Government on Wednesday 24 June 2020.

    Transport for NSW is managing the process for the NSW Government following the decision to franchise Sydney’s remaining bus networks in October last year.

    “It is anticipated that the contract for Region 8 will be awarded in May 2021 with the full transition of Region 8 expected by October 2021,” said Daniela Fontana, State Transit CEO.

    “While not actively involved in the procurement process, State Transit will continue to assist TfNSW during the tender period to ensure a smooth transition for our people.”

    In making a transition to private operators, the NSW Government will continue to:

    • own State Transit buses and all other assets such as depots;
    • regulate timetables, safety, and service priorities; and
    • set fares as they are today, under the Opal system.

    With the recent announcement of a staggered transition process for State Transit’s three regions, and the commencement of the tender process, comes more certainty about the timing for our transition.

    Our operational employees will receive a two-year employment guarantee from the time the new operator takes over in each region. Those in Regions 8 and 7 (Ryde and Willoughby depots) are guaranteed a job under the same conditions until late 2023. Those in Region 9 (Port Botany, Waverley and Randwick depots) will benefit from the same agreement until around mid-2024.

    It is not yet clear what impact, if any, the transition of Region 8 will have on our non-operational staff. We will continue to work with our non-operational staff to clarify this as we get closer to transition. Career support will be available to all non-operational colleagues who are not guaranteed a job with an incoming operator at the end of the transition process.

    “While it’s business-as-usual for us all, our collective mindset and focus needs to be firmly on the change ahead and how to prepare for it,” said Mark Cox, Executive Director of People and Culture.

    “The People and Culture team is working hard on a range of initiatives to support our people to adapt and thrive into the future. For everyone, but particularly those whose jobs are not guaranteed, we are here for you. Your wellbeing is our priority.”

    There are many avenues if you feel you need support, such as:

    • a variety of health, wellbeing and financial wellness resources are available on the Benehub portal – www.benestar.com/user/login
    • your depot’s Mental Health First Aider for onsite support
    • access to our EAP (1300 360 364) if you need to talk to someone outside of the workplace, which includes managers that may need assistance with a work problem
    • speaking with your one-up manager if you have any concerns about members of the team
    • your People and Culture Business Partner or the Organisational Development Team if you need any assistance.

    A large variety of questions have been asked about the transition since it was announced. You can find answers to these—and more—on the Stay Informed website. If you have a question you can’t find an answer to, please speak with your manager or contact the People and Culture team via email.

  • Proposed transition timeline announced

    The process for the transition of the remaining contracted Regions of State Transit is about to get underway and the approach has been outlined to staff on Thursday 14 May 2020.

    It is proposed that the first region to go to tender will be Region 8 in the middle of June, followed by Region 7 in August and Region 9 in November. The process of transitioning all three Regions of STA is expected to be complete by early 2022.

    It is important to understand what this means for you. If you are an operational employee, like a bus operator or maintenance worker, you are guaranteed a job with the new operator with a two-year employment guarantee under the same conditions from the time you transfer across. If you are an non-operational employee and are not guaranteed a role with a new operator, we will work closely with you to help you achieve your career goals.

    The priority now is to keep our focus on the day to day running of STA, prepare ourselves for the transition and to look after our people.

    The transition will be a challenging time for all our people, so please remember to look after yourself and others during this time.

    There are many avenues if you feel you need support, things like:

    • EAP on 1300 360 364 if you need to talk to someone, which includes managers that may need assistance with a difficult work problem
    • Access the variety of health, wellbeing and financial wellness resources that are available on the Benehub portal – www.benestar.com/user/login
    • Contact your depot’s Mental Health First Aider if you need onsite support
    • Speak with your one-up manager if you have any concerns about members of the team
    • Contact your People and Culture Business Partner or the Organisational Development Team if you need assistance.

    Many questions have been asked about the transition since it was announced. There is a Frequently Asked Questions document that has been created and will be available on Blink at the Transition news hub. If you have a question you can’t find an answer to speak with your manager first but if you don’t feel comfortable doing so email stayinformed@transport.nsw.gov.au. We will add to the FAQ as more questions come in.

    We will keep our people updated and regularly communicate information through our various communications channels online, at our depots and corporate offices.

    Frequently Asked Questions with respect to this announcement can be found here.

  • 14 May 2020 - World class operators invited to register for bus services

    Transport for NSW has invited transport operators to register their interest in operating bus services on behalf of the NSW Government on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, North Shore, northern and eastern suburbs.

  • 24 October 2019 - New bus contracts to drive improved services

    Bus customers will receive additional services and innovative on demand options under new contracts to lift the standard of transport across Sydney.

Page last updated: 04 Sep 2020, 11:36 AM