Sydney’s bus network is currently unreliable. Chronic early departures, late arrivals, cancelled services, and unrealistic timetables make daily commuting unreliable, stressful, and unfair. These failures are systemic, and responsibility lies squarely with the NSW Government and Transport for NSW (TfNSW), which design timetables, set performance standards, and enforce contracts. Private operators act within these rules — when buses run early or unreliably, it is a failure of governance.

Privatisation has not delivered reliability. Weak contracts, poor enforcement, and unrealistic scheduling have shifted the burden onto commuters, while operators face minimal consequences. Daily commuters are left late for work, missing appointments, losing income, and increasingly forced back into cars — harming their wallets, schedules, and the environment.

My experience

My name is Sylvia, and I am a daily Sydney bus commuter. On 13 January 2025, the 491 bus departed my stop seven minutes early, causing me to miss my connection and arrive late to work. Routes 491, 490, and 492 do this repeatedly. Early departures are not minor errors — they are service failures that disrupt jobs, healthcare access, and daily life. I have lodged complaints with Transport for NSW and the NSW Ombudsman. Recently, a Senior Investigation and Resolution Officer at the Ombudsman reopened my case, noting that these ongoing issues require attention and that accountability is important.

What we demand

Zero tolerance for early departures. Buses must not leave ahead of schedule except where explicitly authorised. Early departures must be recorded and penalised.

Timetables based on real conditions
Rebuild schedules using traffic data, boarding times, dwell times, and peak-hour conditions.

Proactive use of GPS data
Identify repeat early running, skipped stops, and unreliable routes; enforce penalties systematically.

Accountability for operators
Operators repeatedly failing reliability standards must face meaningful contractual consequences.

Bus priority and enforcement
Expand and enforce bus lanes so buses aren’t delayed by general traffic.

Transparency
Publish regular, route-level public reports on early running, cancellations, and on-time performance.

Reliable public transport is not a luxury. It is essential infrastructure. Sydney cannot function when buses ignore timetables and passenger trust.

 Excuses are no longer acceptable. Accountability is overdue.

✊ Sign this petition to demand action. Every commuter counts.