Liverpool-Parramatta T-way
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Liverpool-Parramatta T-way | |
 |
|
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Mode | Bus rapid transit line |
| Area | Western Sydney |
| Map colour | Blue |
| Owner | Ministry of Transport |
| Design | |
| Length | 30 km |
| Stations | 35 |
| Connects | Liverpool Parramatta |
| 2003 | Opened |
| Operations | |
| Operator(s) | Western Sydney Buses |
| Patronage | 41,500 per week |
| Public transport | | |
The Liverpool-Parramatta T-way or Liverpool-Parramatta Transitway is a bus rapid transit line in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The t-way links the railway stations at Parramatta and Liverpool via a series of bus-only roadways and bus lanes.
Services along the length of the t-way are operated by Western Sydney Buses, a unit of the State Transit Authority of New South Wales.
A long-awaited first step in a plan to improve public transport services in Sydney's western suburbs, the t-way has so far failed to live up to expectations—carrying half the number of passengers expected.
A second line, the North-West T-way, is due to open in December 2007. This t-way will link Parramatta with the suburbs of Blacktown and Rouse Hill.
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[edit] Design and construction
The t-way is a joint venture between the New South Wales Ministry of Transport and the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales.
The line runs through the central business district of Parramatta, before heading onto the Great Western Highway to South Wentworthville, after which it heads onto its own alignment next to the Sydney Water pipeline that runs from Prospect Reservoir. It then proceeds on its own alignment in an old freeway reservation through to Hoxton Park. At Brickmakers' Creek in Liverpool it heads onto its own alignment to access the main centre of Liverpool and the railway station bus interchange.
The t-way is served by 35 stations, spaced every 800 metres.
- closed circuit television cameras
- extensive lighting
- display screens which provide accurate information on arrival and departure times
- real-time digital information
- easy accessibility
- bicycle parking
- emergency help points
These stations are more substantial than normal bus stops—featuring real-time information displays, landscaping and attractive plate-glass walls. This has led to criticism that the system is overly costly and vulnerable to vandalism.
[edit] Services
Services on the t-way, numbered as route T80, are operated by Western Sydney Buses. In peak hours, services run every 10 minutes. At other times, services run every 15-30 minutes. Late at night, services run hourly. This compares with services on Brisbane's Busway bus rapid transit system running as frequently as every 40 seconds.
Services were initially provided using a fleet of 17 natural gas powered buses in blue and yellow T-way livery. These have since been replaced by Volvo-made Euro 3 diesel buses. All services are wheelchair-accessible and air-conditioned.
[edit] Liverpool–Parramatta stations
The Liverpool–Parramatta T-way serves the suburbs of Parramatta, Mays Hill, South Wentworthville, Merrylands West, Woodpark, Smithfield, Wetherill Park, Prairiewood, Busby, Cartwright, Miller, Prestons, Lurnea and Liverpool. Stations are located at:
- Liverpool (rail interchange)
- Macquarie
- Memorial
- Brickmakers
- Maxwells
- Ash (connect to bus routes 853, 854, 855)
- Miller
- Hinchinbrook
- Cartwright
- Busby
- Green Valley
- Brown (connect to bus route 833)
- Bonnyrigg (connect to bus routes 826, 827, 831)
- Clear Paddock
- St Johns
- Orphan School
- Prairiewood (connect to bus routes 800, 826, 827)
- Horsley
- Victoria (connect to bus route 829)
- Elizabeth
- Wetherill
- Hassall
- Gipps
- Cooper (connect to bus route 808)
- Smithfield
- Warren
- Woodpark
- Canal
- Sherwood (connect to bus routes 811, 813, 815)
- Centenary
- Finalyson
- Coleman
- Mays Hill
- Pitt
- Parramatta (rail interchange)
Major stations are shown in bold.
[edit] Transitways in Sydney
Transitways were conceived as an alternative to commuter railway services because of the lower cost and higher flexibility that they offer. Transitways can be constructed without the need for a dedicated corridor or tunnel. Buses can join and leave the transitway at various points along the route, giving the t-way a wider feeder area than rail.
The t-ways are built as separate bus-only roads where undeveloped railway and motorway corridors are available, and as bus-only lanes on existing roads.
The New South Wales Government advocated t-ways in order to meet the growing public transport needs of Western Sydney in a planning document called Action for Transport 2010. The plan called for 90-kilometre-long bus rapid transit network linking a number of major centres west of Strathfield. To date, only two t-ways have been greenlighted and only one, Liverpool-Parramatta, has been completed.
Transitways can only be used by rapid bus services, selected local bus services and emergency vehicles. Other motorists using a bus lane (except to turn or overtake) can be fined. Other bus-only roadways exist in Sydney including a bus roadway at Moore Park and a dedicated roadway in the centre of the M2 Hills Motorway. In addition, Sydney has a large and expanding network of bus-only lanes on main roads.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- State Transit Authority of New South Wales (2003-02-14). Sydney’s New Rapid Bus T-way Makes its Debut Run. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- Baker, Jordan. "Transport's vision splendid running at only half capacity", Sydney Morning Herald, 2006-08-25. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
- Liverpool-Parramatta T-way. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
| Public transport operators in metropolitan New South Wales | |
|---|---|
| Government |
Automated Fare Collection System | Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal | New South Wales Ministry of Transport | Rail Infrastructure Corporation | Tcard | Transport InfoLine | Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation
|
| Rail | Airport Link | CityRail | Metro Transport Sydney | Veolia
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| Ferry | Cronulla Ferries | Matilda Cruises | Palm Beach Ferry | Newcastle Buses & Ferries | Sydney Ferries
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| Bus |
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|
| Taxi | Taxis in New South Wales | Cabcharge
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| Public transport in metropolitan New South Wales | | |
