Liverpool–Parramatta T-way

Liverpool–Parramatta T-way
Mode	Bus rapid transit line
Owner	Transport for NSW
Operator(s)	Transit Systems Sydney
Connects	Liverpool Parramatta
Length	30 kilometres
Stations	35
Patronage	2.77 million per annum (June 2012)
Line colour	Blue
Key dates
February 2003	Opened
October 2013	Transit Systems Sydney took over services including T80

The Liverpool–Parramatta T-way is a bus rapid transit line in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. "T-way" is short for rapid bus transitway.

Route and services

The T-way links the railway stations at Parramatta and Liverpool via a series of bus-only roadways and bus lanes. Services using the T-way are operated by Transit Systems Sydney. Before that, these services used to be operated by various bus companies such as Westbus or Western Sydney Buses (a subsidiary of the State Transit Authority). They were under Sydney Bus Region 3 and were transferred to Transit Systems Sydney on 13 October 2013, who won the tender to be the new operator of the region including the T-way.

A long-awaited first step in a plan to improve public transport services in Sydney's western suburbs, the T-way initially failed to live up to expectations, carrying half the number of passengers expected.^[1] Patronage has increased significantly, with annual patronage increasing by 328,000 in 2006.^[2] A second line, the North-West T-way, opened in March 2007, linking Parramatta with Blacktown and Rouse Hill.

Design and construction

The T-way was constructed as a joint venture between the New South Wales Ministry of Transport and the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales opening in February 2003.

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 the centre of Liverpool and the railway station bus interchange.

The T-way has 35 stations, spaced every 800 metres. These stations are more substantial than normal bus stops, which has led to criticism that the system is overly costly and vulnerable to vandalism. These stations have:^[1]

• closed circuit television cameras
• extensive lighting
• display screens that provide real-time information on arrival and departure times
• real-time digital information
• easy accessibility
• bicycle parking
• emergency help points
• landscaping
• plate glass walls

Services

Liverpool-Parramatta T-Way busway route map

There are a number of services using portions of the T-way. The only service to have the prefix T is T80, which runs along the whole stretch of the T-way. In the financial year ended June 2012, 2.77 million passengers used the T-way services.^[3]

Provision of the service T80 was put out to tender and an eight year contract awarded to Western Sydney Buses.^[4] Services were initially provided by 17 natural-gas Mercedes-Benz O405NH buses in blue and yellow T-way livery. These were replaced in 2004 by diesel Volvo B12BLEs. All services are wheelchair-accessible and air-conditioned.

Since October 2013 services have been operated by Transit Systems Sydney as part of its Sydney Bus Region 3 contract.^[3] All State Transit bus fleet used for the T-way were transferred to Transit Systems Sydney. The liveries of these buses still show the colours of State Transit, blue and white, but with the Transit Systems logo.

Service frequency

• peak hours every 10 minutes
• off peak every 15 minutes
• Saturday every 20 minutes
• Sunday and public holidays - every 20 minutes^[5]

Hours of operation (time of departure)

• Monday to Friday - 04:30 to 00:15
• Saturday - 06:00 to 01:15
• Sunday - 06:00 to 00:15

Liverpool–Parramatta stations

The Liverpool–Parramatta T-way serves Parramatta, Mays Hill, New South Wales, South Wentworthville, Merrylands West, Woodpark, Smithfield, Wetherill Park, Prairiewood, Busby, Cartwright, Miller, Prestons, Lurnea and Liverpool. There are two routes: most services stop at all stations, with a limited service running only between Bonnyrigg and Parramatta. Stations are as follows:

Name of station (Major stations in bold)	Fare Section	Stopping Patterns		Suburbs Served	Connections
Liverpool–Parramatta T-way
Liverpool	19			Liverpool	■ Airport, Inner West & South Line, ■ Bankstown Line, ■ Cumberland Line, Connecting Bus Services in Parramatta
Macquarie	18			Liverpool
Memorial	18			Liverpool
Brickmakers	17			Liverpool
Maxwells	16			Cartwright, Lurnea	Bus routes 802, 803, 853, 854
Ash	15			Miller, Prestons	Bus routes 853, 854
Miller	14			Miller, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park	Bus routes 853, 854
Hinchinbrook	14			Hinchinbrook, Miller
Cartwright	14			Hinchinbrook, Miller, Busby
Busby	13			Busby, Green Valley	Bus routes 805, S10
Green Valley	12			Green Valley, Bonnyrigg Heights	Bus route 807
Brown	12			Bonnyrigg Heights
Bonnyrigg	12			Bonnyrigg	Bus routes 802, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 813, 816
St Johns	11			St Johns Park, Wakeley, Prairiewood
Orphan School	10			Prairiewood, Bossley Park	Bus routes 819
Prariewood	10			Prairiewood, Bossley Park	Bus Routes 800, 806, 808, 813, 817, 819
Horsley	9			Bossley Park, Wetherill Park	Bus Routes 800, 806, 808, 813
Victoria	9			Wetherill Park	Bus Routes 800, 806, 808, 812
Elizabeth	8			Wetherill Park	Bus Route 806
Wetherill	8			Wetherill Park
Hassall	7			Wetherill Park, Prospect
Gipps	6			Smithfield, Greystanes, Prospect	Bus Routes 806, 812
Cooper	6			Smithfield	Bus Route 821
Smithfield	5			Smithfield	Bus Route 821
Warren	4			Smithfield, Woodpark	Bus Route 821
Woodpark	4			Woodpark, Guildford West
Canal	3			Merrylands West
Sherwood	3			Wetherill Park	Bus Routes 811, 813, 815
Centenary	2			South Wentworthville
Finlayson	2			Wentworthville, South Wentworthville
Coleman	1			Westmead, Wentworthville, South Wentworthville
Mays Hill	1			Westmead, Mays Hill
Pitt	0			Parramatta
Argyle	0			Parramatta
Parramatta	0			Parramatta	■ North Shore, Northern & Western Line, ■ Cumberland Line, ■ Blue Mountains Line, Connecting Bus Services in Parramatta

T-ways in Sydney

T-ways were conceived as an alternative to commuter railway services because of their potential lower cost and higher flexibility. T-ways can be constructed without the need for a dedicated corridor or tunnel. Buses can join and leave the T-way along the route, giving the T-way a wider feeder area than rail.

T-ways are separate bus-only roads where undeveloped railway and motorway corridors are available, and as bus-only lanes on existing roads.

T-ways can be used only 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. There are other bus-only roads in Sydney, including at Moore Park and a dedicated roadway in the centre of the M2 Hills Motorway. Sydney has a large and expanding network of bus-only lanes on main roads.

External links

• NSW Government T-way website
• Sydney public transport information

References