Bus operator Busways has revealed it has been selected to deliver bus services for the NSW Central Coast community for a further eight years, following the competitive open tender process.
Busways has won the Outer Metropolitan Bus Services Contract 6 by the NSW Government commencing in July next year (2024), and the bus company says this was a result of having demonstrated its capabilities ‘delivering high-quality bus services for more than 53.7 million passenger journeys a year across Australia’.
Busways says it is expert in operating route, school, on-demand hub-to-point services, emergency buses and special services through its contracts in NSW and SA with more than 1,300 buses and a 2,800 strong workforce.
Managing director of Busways, Byron Rowe said he welcomed the news as recognition of Busways’ proven performance, with capabilities to implement the NSW Government’s Future Transport vision and continue to improve customer outcomes and bus service quality throughout the region.
“Busways has operated bus services in NSW for 80 years, and on the Central Coast since 1990, and been highly adaptable to the changing needs of the region, seeing 44% population growth in that time,” Rowe said.
“It’s great to see the NSW Government backing home grown business – we are thrilled to continue our productive partnership with Transport for NSW and our committed focus on providing an exceptional customer experience for Central Coast customers, and secure jobs for our experience local team,” he said.
Busways chief operating officer, Chris Wolf, said the company had proven advanced scheduling and operational capabilities to efficiently deliver growth services, whilst maintaining high levels of reliability, customer experience, safety and service innovation on the Central Coast.
“We have maintained consistently high standards in service delivery and our customers tell us we are getting it right, with 95 per cent customer satisfaction in TfNSW’s May 2022 Customer Satisfaction Index,” Wolf said.
“Our focus on safety and maintenance was recognised by our Central Coast fleet achieving an average 97% pass rate over the last five years of HVIS Inspections safety audits. We have also invested in sustainable depot infrastructure, now powering our Gosford bus depot completely on solar power,” he said.
For the next eight years, Byron Rowe said Busways will continue to focus on delivering quality bus passenger services to the growing and evolving Central Coast region. The Central Coast population is forecast to grow 23 per cent by 2036 to more than 415,000 residents.
“With the certainty provided by this new contract, we look forward to partnering with TfNSW in planning and designing improvements to bus services for the Central Coast community as it grows,” Rowe said.
Byron Rowe went on to say how privileged Busways has been to grow strong community ties in the region.
“Across the past seven years, Busways donated over $150,000 in-kind bus shuttle services to support Central Coast community events and groups who help the disadvantaged,” Rowe said.
“Just two weeks ago we supported the 5 Lands Walk for the seventh year with shuttle bus services to enable people of all abilities to take part in this celebration of people, place and Aboriginal culture. We also provide bus safety travel training for primary school students and people with disabilities and support many other community initiatives such as Camp Toukley, which provides fun and respite for foster children.”
Under the OMBSC6 contract, Busways says it will transport more than 4.5 million passengers on nearly 400,000 bus trips a year, operating over 160 buses, with 260 employees at the Gosford and Wyong bus depots.
