Free public transport will connect Western Sydney International Airport when it opens its doors later in the year.
The free bus service, to be in place to meet the first passenger flight that lands, will take passengers and airport workers to and from the new airport at Luddenham and St Marys train and bus interchange.
The interim service will provide the connection to the wider Sydney public transport network that will be delivered by the new Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport when it opens next year.
The free airport buses will run every 30 minutes between 4.30am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and 4.30am to 1am Friday and Saturday, with an expected journey time of about 30 minutes in normal traffic.
Transport for NSW will be able to adjust frequency depending on demand as activity at the airport increases after opening.
The free airport buses will complement the Minns Labor Government’s comprehensive bus plan for Western Sydney, which is set to provide new services every 30 minutes linking the airport to Penrith, Leppington, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Mount Druitt.
These new services will begin prior to the airport opening and run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week, connecting people to local education and health precincts, retail and leisure.
The new 23-kilometre Metro line, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Government, will have capacity to move up to 7,740 passengers every hour in each direction.
Interim buses will be phased out when metro services begin.
The six-stop line will connect Western Sydney International Airport to St Marys in just 15 minutes where passengers can join services on the T1 Western Line that run direct to stations including Blacktown, Parramatta, Strathfield and Central Station.
Once complete, the new line will feature a rail and bus interchange at St Marys, with stops at Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Western Sydney International Airport and Bradfield.
Track laying on the line is now 70 per cent complete and station construction reaching key milestones.
The new metro will provide an infrastructure spine that will help the growing region develop, with 120,000 new jobs expected around Bradfield by the mid-2030s.
The toll-free M12 motorway that will link the airport to the Sydney motorway network is due to open in coming months before flights at the airport.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Australia’s newest international airport is going to be transformational for Western Sydney, and it is important to have connectivity to our public transport network from the moment the first bit of airline rubber hits the tarmac.
“Free interim buses will give passengers and airline operators the certainty that an onwards journey on public transport is in place alongside the new M12 motorway for road access, taxis and rideshare, as we complete the equally transformational metro line between the airport and St Marys.
“At Western Sydney International Airport, we are building a world-class metro that will allow this airport and this part of Western Sydney to develop rapidly over the coming years and decades.
“While the free, interim buses will phase out when the metro opens, the new bus services between the airport and Penrith, Oran Park, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Mount Druitt and Leppington will be a permanent upgrade for public transport.”
Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey said:
“These services will offer an additional, essential transport connection for workers and passengers using Sydney’s new 24-hour international gateway, and complement the toll-free M12, ride share, taxis, tour buses and other private transfer services available, all of which will be supported by more than 6,000 car spaces at our precinct.
“We will continue to work with Transport for NSW to deliver the best transport options for our passengers that keep pace with the airport’s anticipated growth in demand over the years ahead.
“Critical transport investments can truly connect the west to the west and the west to the rest for the first time and deliver transformational economic opportunities that will benefit all of Sydney.”
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:
“For families and workers in our community, these services mean a direct, reliable connection to Western Sydney International Airport and to key centres like Leppington, Liverpool and Campbelltown from day one, with rapid buses running every 30 minutes.
“As Leppington continues to grow, it’s critical that our public transport grows with it, and these new links are a strong step towards a more connected, accessible and opportunity-rich future for our community.”
Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:
“The Minns Labor Government is investing in Liverpool with the $302.7 million New Bus Services for Western Sydney project, linking our electorate directly to the new airport and creating better access to jobs, education, and travel opportunities.
“The people of Liverpool will be among the first in Western Sydney to benefit from the interim free bus service, connecting the new airport at Luddenham to St Marys from the very first passenger flight.”
Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said:
“I welcome this vitally important public transport connection which will support workers and passengers to access the new Western Sydney International Airport.”
“This is a tangible step towards delivering the effective and efficient public transport connections that our region needs and deserves.”
Member for Camden Sally Quinnell said:
“I’m excited to welcome new connective services into our area. Regular, accessible transport will provide critical connection for the Camden community, linking residents with employment and travel opportunities at the new airport.
“I’m proud to be working with the Minns Labor Government to deliver these great upgrades for our community. While there’s more work to be done in terms of connecting Camden residents to transport, this is a great start.”
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:
“I applaud this public transport link that will enable the community to reach the new Western Sydney International Airport from day one.
“This free interim bus service will complement the comprehensive bus plan for Western Sydney, linking Penrith residents to the airport.”
Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Attalla said:
“This is welcome news for Mount Druitt residents, the interim bus service will deliver free, reliable public transport to Western Sydney International Airport from day one, connecting locals to jobs and opportunities while paving the way for the metro to come.”