Busways and Red Bus Services have been selected to deliver bus services for the Central Coast community for a further eight years, following a competitive open tender process.
The NSW Government announced on July 10 that Busways had been awarded the contract for region six, which includes Gosford, Wyong and Tuggerah, reaching north to Ravensdale, west to Kulnura, south to Patonga and east to Ourimbah.
Central Coast locally owned and run operator, Red Bus Services, has joined forces with new partner Comfort DelGro Cabcharge (CDC) and has been awarded the region seven contract, which covers The Entrance, Wyong and Gosford.
Busways Managing Director Byron Rowe said the announcement was recognition of Busways’ proven performance, with capabilities to implement the NSW Government’s Future Transport vision and continue to improve customer outcomes and bus service quality throughout the region.
“Busways has operated bus services in NSW for 80 years, and on the Central Coast since 1990, and been highly adaptable to the changing needs of the region, seeing 44 per cent population growth in that time,” he said.
“It’s great to see the NSW Government backing home grown business – we are thrilled to continue our productive partnership with Transport for NSW and our committed focus on providing an exceptional customer experience for Central Coast customers, and secure jobs for our experience local team.”
Chief Operating Officer Chris Wolf said Busways had proven advanced scheduling and operational capabilities to efficiently deliver growth services, while maintaining high levels of reliability, customer experience, safety and service innovation on the Central Coast.
“We have maintained consistently high standards in service delivery and our customers tell us we are getting it right, with 95 per cent customer satisfaction in TfNSW’s May 2022 Customer Satisfaction Index,” he said.
“Our focus on safety and maintenance was recognised by our Central Coast fleet achieving an average 97 per cent pass rate over the past five years of HVIS Inspections safety audits.
“We have also invested in sustainable depot infrastructure, now powering our Gosford bus depot completely on solar power.”
Rowe said Busways would continue to focus on delivering quality bus passenger services to the growing and evolving Central Coast region, with the population forecast to grow 23 per cent by 2036 to over 415,000 residents.
“With the certainty provided by this new contract, we look forward to partnering with TfNSW in planning and designing improvements to bus services for the Central Coast community as it grows,” he said.
“Across the past seven years, Busways donated over $150,000 in-kind bus shuttle services to support Central Coast community events and groups who help the disadvantaged.
“Just two weeks ago we supported the 5 Lands Walk for the seventh year with shuttle bus services to enable people of all abilities to take part in this celebration of people, place and Aboriginal culture.
“We also provide bus safety travel training for primary school students and people with disabilities and support many other community initiatives such as Camp Toukley, which provides fun and respite for foster children.”
Under the new contract, Busways will transport more than 4.5 million passengers on almost 400,000 bus trips a year, operating more than 160 buses, with 260 employees at the Gosford and Wyong bus depots.
Member for The Entrance David Mehan said he was sure the northern community would be pleased that long-time local operator Red Bus would continue as the local bus operator.
“It’s great to see a local company given the opportunity to serve their community and support local jobs,” he said.
Red Bus Services Managing Director John Shore said the company has a proud history of service to the community and is thrilled to continue the Red Bus legacy by joining with CDC NSW.
“We are better together and importantly this joint venture allows us to honour our 80-plus-year history by continuing to provide our community with safe and reliable transport solutions well into the future,” he said.
CDC NSW CEO David Mead said the company had a strong background in bus operations on a national scale with systems, tools and processes needed to meet and deliver Transport for NSW requirements for operators and our customers.
“We are incredibly proud to be delivering this contract with Red Bus,” he said.
CDC NSW operates four Outer Metropolitan Bus Service Contract regions and two Metropolitan regions and has worked with many operators across Australia over the past 18 years.
This contract will expand CDC NSW’s operations to employ over 2,500 people in NSW.
But Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said the roll-out of the contracts has had some challenges.
“In the future we need to ensure that communities, bus operators and workers have a say in how we can deliver better buses for the Central Coast,” she said.
“Local bus services should serve the local community, and I’m looking forward to working with these new operators, Central Coast locals and the newly established Bus Taskforce to ensure the best possible deal for our community.”
Transport Minister Jo Haylen announced the Bus Industry Taskforce on May 1, designed to guide how bus services across NSW can be improved.
The Taskforce will look at better contract and performance management, better service planning, the routes that passengers and communities want and how to develop a better industry that is able to attract more drivers.
More information is available at Bus Industry Taskforce | Transport for NSW
Terry Collins
Member for The Entrance David Mehan said he was sure the northern community would be pleased that long-time local operator Red Bus would continue as the local bus operator.
“It’s great to see a local company given the opportunity to serve their community and support local jobs,” he said.
Really. So why has Red Bus partnered with a Foreign owned company.