Sydney commuters will get the chance to book shuttle buses from or near their homes to a local transport hub within the next few months as part of a state government trial of on-demand public transport.
Pricing for a standard trip will range from $2.60 to $5.60, and customers will be able to book online, by phone or via an app on their smart device.
The eight trials of on-demand services starting as early as October will be carried out in Sydney’s north west, south west and west, the eastern suburbs, northern beaches, Sutherland Shire and the Central Coast.
Ride-sharing legislation that passed early last year deregulated the booking market for buses of 12 seats or less. The latest trials will be run by private operators such as Keolis Downer, Transdev and Transit Systems.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the trials were just the start of the state’s transport future and would transform daily commuting for people across Sydney.
“Imagine not having to check a timetable because you know your service will be there when and where you need it,” he said.
The trials include on-demand mini-bus and mini-van services for people living within 15 kilometres of Macquarie Park in Sydney’s north from early next year.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance says on-demand shuttles will transform daily commuting habits.
This month the government began a two-year trial of autonomous vehicles, which involves operating a driverless shuttle bus at Olympic Park.
The $20 billion-plus metro train line under construction in Sydney will also not operate to a timetable; instead, driverless trains will run on the line every four minutes that will eventually extend from the city’s north-west to Chatswood, the CBD, Sydenham and Bankstown.
Source: www.smh.com.au
