Bus changes across the Inner West
Project overview
As part of Transport’s plan to deliver a more equitable bus network, we are looking for ways to improve bus journeys across Sydney’s Inner West.
This includes additional services on key routes, more seats, timetable changes, and route changes to help provide a better-connected public transport experience.
Map of Inner West area
Latest news
An update to the consultation on Election Commitment to restore route 445 to Balmain East
Transport for NSW recently reviewed bus services operating to and from Balmain East Wharf, including route 442 (Sydney CBD and Balmain) and route 445 (Campsie and Balmain).
This review reflected a NSW Government election commitment to investigate options to restore Route 445 to operate to Balmain East Wharf via Darling Street.
As part of this review, Transport consulted with the community on four possible options over a two week period, between Monday 11 November, 2024 and Friday 22 November, 2024.
What we heard
Communities from Balmain East and its surrounds participated in the consultation and a large volume of feedback was received during the consultation period.
Transport received 1,028 completed surveys, along with feedback from phone calls, emails, and direct conversations with residents. Key themes of feedback received included:
- accessibility - Challenges changing buses at Gladstone Park
- convenience and service reliability – View that more services would improve reliability and encourage the use of public transport
- interchanging - Preference for direct services to Balmain East Wharf to avoid the need to change buses
- modal connections - Preference for more convenient connections between buses and ferries
- new connections - Requests for buses to operate the full length of Darling Street
- noise and pollution - Concerns about increased bus movements in residential areas.
- parking concerns - Concerns about already high traffic congestion and residents struggling to find parking near their homes
- satisfaction with current services - Some respondents were happy with how current buses operate
- service frequency - Requests for an increase of frequency of bus services in the area s
- service reliability - More services, more options for passengers.
Some trips may require an interchange; however, we encourage passengers to plan their trip in advance using Transport’s Trip Planner.
Next steps
Transport is finalising the assessment of feedback and will recommend a way forward to Government.
Timeline
- Election commitment
- Review of bus services to Balmain Wharf
- Community consultation
- Update the community on next steps (We are here)
- Finalisation of feedback and recommendation
- *Further consultation with local council
- Announcement of outcome of review
*If there is a change proposed to current operations, further consultation will be carried out with Inner West Council and their Local Traffic Committee will need to approve any parking changes.
More information
Detailed changes
Frequently asked questions
Previous bus announcements
Bus changes across the network - Inner West - detailed change December 2024
On 8 December 2024, Transport for NSW (Transport) introduced changes to some bus services across Sydney’s Inner West.
These changes include timetable and minor route changes, and adjustments to some school services.
What changed?
- Timetable changes on 46 routes to improve reliability
- Additional services or reduced frequency to support demand
- Routes 433, 442 and 526 are being upgraded to the All-day Frequent Network, with services operating every 10 minutes, 7 days a week
- New overnight services on Fridays and Saturdays on routes 433 and 442
- Improved frequency and capacity to support the Bankstown line shutdown and South West Link
- Routes 425, 503 and 504X withdrawn and replaced by additional services on other routes.
Affected routes
303, 305, 308, 320, 348, 358, 389, 401, 407, 412, 415, 418, 420, 422, 423, 423X, 425, 426, 428, 428X, 430, 431, 433, 437, 438N, 438X, 440, 441, 442, 445, 461N, 461X, 464, 469, 470, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 483, 491, 492, 502, 503, 504, 504X, 526, 530
Bus routes 442 and 445 in Balmain
As part of a NSW Government election commitment, Transport is reviewing bus routes 442 and 445 in the Balmain area, specifically buses operating to and from Balmain East Wharf.
The community was invited to provide feedback on the options we have investigated. Thank you to everyone who has participated. We will be assessing this feedback and will notify the community once we have further updates.
Visit Buses at Transport for more information about bus changes across NSW
Contact us
For more information check out our Frequently Asked Questions document on this page or contact Transport services.