Wollongong bus layover relocation

Transport for NSW recently asked the community for feedback on three preferred bus layover locations in Wollongong and Shellharbour.

The three-week consultation period revealed support for the plan to relocate the existing bus layover at Marine Drive to three new sites in the Atchison Street car park, Wollongong Train Station car park and Oak Flats Train Station car park.

After considering the feedback received, design and planning work will progress on the new layover sites to ensure our drivers are safe and have ease of access to facilities between their services.

A report summarising the feedback and next steps has been published in a community consultation summary report (PDF, 459.59 KB).

We thank everyone who took time to provide their feedback.

Feedback has now closed on the proposed sites for new bus layover locations in Wollongong.

Thank you to all those who submitted their feedback. We have reviewed all comments received and a feedback summary report (PDF, 459.59 KB) has been prepared.

• December 2023 - Community consultation report (PDF, 459.59 KB)
• November 2023 – Community notification (PDF, 295.38 KB)

• 19 January 2024 - Community support for Wollongong bus layover plan
• 6 November 2023 - Have your say on the Wollongong bus layover relocation

• Why does Transport for NSW need a new bus layover?
  The project is being carried out in response to a request from Wollongong City Council for a permanent relocation of the Wollongong bus layover, currently located on Marine Drive, to support council’s future vision for Lang Park. The use of multiple bus layover sites in the Illawarra will also support Transport with additional future bus services.
• Why are bus layovers important?
  Bus layovers provide safe and convenient facilities for bus drivers to have their breaks between services. Meal and bathroom facilities near route termination points are important so that our bus drivers can take their breaks safely and so time and resources are not lost having to travel longer distances. The current layover site at Marine Park services around 200 bus layover stops per day.

• What impacts will there be? 
  Design and planning work will progress on the new layover sites in 2024, including detailed bus service and operational planning to inform a business case to permanently relocate the bus layover to the new sites.

  The conversion of each site to bus parking will result in a loss of car parking. There are no plans to offset these parking losses. Each site is located close to a train station and bus stop and will improve the community’s access to alternative forms of sustainable transport. There is alternative paid and free parking within walking distance of all three sites. The community will be kept informed throughout the project. If at any time you have concerns, please contact the email address below.

• Where is the project up to?
  The project started in March 2023 with initial consultation with Wollongong City Council, Illawarra bus operators and the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) to understand the essential requirements for a new bus layover. These included customer outcomes, layover capacity, vehicle access, route coverage, adjacent land use, driver safety and access to facilities. Transport, Wollongong City Council, bus operators, and the TWU collaboratively assessed over 20 locations based on these requirements and together identified three preferred sites. Feedback was open to the community from Monday 6 November to Sunday 26 November which revealed community support for the plan to relocate the existing bus layover. Design and planning work will now progress on the new layover sites including detailed bus service and operational planning to inform a business case to permanently relocate the bus layover to the new sites.
• How were these sites selected? 
  The three preferred sites were selected following an assessment process which initially included over 20 sites for consideration. The multi-criteria assessment process was led by an independent consultant who ran multiple workshops that were attended by Transport, Wollongong City Council, Illawarra bus operators and the TWU. A three-week community consultation period revealed support for the plan to relocate the existing bus layover to the three new sites.
• What did the assessment criteria include? 
  To refine the list of over 20 sites down to the three preferred sites, 19 specific criteria were defined through the multi-criteria assessment. These were grouped into seven themes: Customer Focused, Sustainability, Performance, Vehicle Safety, Driver Safety and Amenity, Successful Places, and a Strong Economy. 
• What are the benefits of the Atchison Street car park site? 
  The Atchison Street car park has capacity for 11 bus parking spaces and toilet and breakroom facilities. The site is 1.5 kilometres away from the current Marine Drive layover site. Repurposing this site would result in a loss of paid car parking spaces near Wollongong CBD.
• What are the benefits of the Oak Flats Train Station car park site? 
  Converting part of the Oak Flats Train Station car park would create four bus parking spaces. While the site is located some distance from Lang Park, it would service drivers on the southern routes and alleviate pressure on Wollongong CBD layover facilities. Bus drivers would also be able to access existing facilities at the station.

• What are the benefits of the Wollongong Train Station car park site? 
  Converting part of Wollongong Train Station car park would create six bus parking spaces. Bus drivers would also be able to access existing facilities at the station. It is located 1.6 kilometres from the current layover site on Marine Drive. 

  The changes would result in a reduction in unpaid car parking spaces. Work required would include converting Lowden Square into a one-way loop, relocating bike lockers and taxi ranks, and some upgrades to the existing parking lot, such as line marking to modify the existing layout. 

• How long will this project take to complete?

  Design and planning work on the new layover sites will progress in 2024, including detailed bus service and operational planning to inform a business case to permanently relocate the bus layover to the new sites.

  The project is proposed to be delivered in a staged process, with the Atchison Street car park site developed as the first priority. The site on Atchison Street will provide 11 bus parking spaces and facilities for bus drivers to rest and rejuvenate between shifts including bathrooms, kitchen facilities and space to relax.

  Further updates will be shared with the community as the project progresses.