Politics · Australia · 1 day ago
Rapid bus routes to Sydney’s new airport delayed as investment decision waits
Western Sydney International Airport, in Sydney’s west, is due to open to passengers on October 25, 2026.
Five regular bus routes began operating in July, linking it with Penrith, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Mount Druitt.
Trips take between 50 and 66 minutes one way.
These are not the rapid bus services promised in the 2018 Western Sydney City Deal.
A NSW government document says a separate investment decision is needed for the project’s second stage, which would add faster services, bus priority measures, sheltered stops and a depot.
The full rapid bus project was estimated to cost $1.6 billion in 2022, including 100 new double-decker buses.
The NSW government says it has delivered a $305 million investment in bus links, but it did not give a timeline for the rapid routes.
The delay matters because passengers may not have the promised faster bus connections when the airport opens.
Rapid bus routes promised for Sydney’s new airport are delayed while the NSW government awaits a separate investment decision on the project’s costliest stage.
Five regular bus routes began operating in July, but their journeys to the airport take 50 to 66 minutes one way.
The rapid-bus project’s estimated cost was $1.6 billion in 2022, compared with $302.7 million for the first stage.
Western Sydney International Airport is due to open to passengers on October 25, 2026.
The NSW government says it has delivered bus services ahead of the airport’s first passenger flight, while the Coalition’s transport spokesperson has called for clear timelines for the rapid routes.
- Who
- The NSW government is responsible for the project. Coalition transport spokesperson Natalie Ward has urged the government to set clear delivery timelines.
- What
- Rapid bus routes to Western Sydney International Airport are delayed pending a separate investment decision. Five regular bus routes began operating in July.
- When
- The rapid routes were still awaiting an investment decision as of October 11, 2026. The airport is due to open to passengers on October 25.
- Where
- Western Sydney, connecting the airport with Liverpool, Penrith and Campbelltown.
- Why
- A separate investment decision is needed to progress the costliest stage of the project.
Natalie Ward and the Coalition
NSW government
Delivery and timing
Natalie Ward and the Coalition
Ward urged the government to provide clear timelines for the rapid bus routes it promised.
NSW government
The government says it has delivered a $305 million bus investment linking suburbs including Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith to the airport, almost four months before the first passenger flight.
The Western Sydney City Deal promised rapid bus routes to the new airport.
Labor vowed to deliver rapid bus services linking Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith to the airport.
Five regular bus routes began operating between the airport and nearby centres.
The NSW government’s Sydney Plan showed future rapid bus routes as dotted lines on a map.
The SMH reported that a separate investment decision was still needed to progress the rapid routes.
Western Sydney International Airport is due to open to passengers.
- First-stage cost
- $302.7 million
- Rapid-bus project estimate
- $1.6 billion in 2022
- First-stage routes
- Five new regular routes, operating every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm
- One-way journey times
- 50 to 66 minutes
- Airport opening
- October 25, 2026
What people are saying
Cutting ribbons is great for ministers, investing in the future is what is good for commuters,
The former Liberal government had no plans to deliver bus services in time for the opening of the Western Sydney Airport
As the region continues to grow and travel patterns evolve, future public transport needs will be considered as part of ongoing planning and investment processes to ensure services continue to meet demand,
Sources
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