LIVERPOOL-PARRAMATTA T-WAY

The 'Liverpool-Parramatta T-way' is a bus rapid transit line in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The T-way links the railway stations at Parramatta and Liverpool via a series of bus-only roadways and bus lanes. The term "T-way" is short for rapid bus transitway.
Services along the length of the T-way are operated by Western Sydney Buses, a unit of the State Transit Authority of New South Wales.
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. However, patronage has increased significantly since the opening of the Transitway, with annual patronage increasing by 328,000 in 2006.^[1]
A second line, the North-West T-way, was opened in March 2007. This t-way now links Parramatta with the suburbs of Blacktown and Rouse Hill.

Contents

Design and construction

Services

Liverpool–Parramatta stations

Transitways in Sydney

External links

References

Design and construction

The T-way is a joint venture between the New South Wales Ministry of Transport and the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales.
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 access the main centre of Liverpool and the railway station bus interchange.
The T-way is served by 35 stations, spaced every 800 metres. These stations all include:

★ closed circuit television cameras

★ extensive lighting

★ display screens which provide accurate information on arrival and departure times

★ real-time digital information

★ easy accessibility

★ bicycle parking

★ emergency help points
These stations are more substantial than normal bus stops—featuring real-time information displays, landscaping and attractive plate-glass walls. This has led to criticism that the system is overly costly and vulnerable to vandalism.

Services

Services on the T-way, numbered as route T80, are operated by Western Sydney Buses. In peak hours, services run every 10 minutes. At other times, services run every 15-30 minutes. Late at night, services run hourly. This compares with services on Brisbane's Busway bus rapid transit system running as frequently as every 40 seconds..
Services were initially provided using a fleet of 17 natural gas powered buses in blue and yellow T-way livery. These have since been replaced by Volvo-made Euro 3 diesel buses. All services are wheelchair-accessible and air-conditioned.

Liverpool–Parramatta stations

The Liverpool–Parramatta T-way serves the suburbs of Parramatta, Mays Hill, South Wentworthville, Merrylands West, Woodpark, Smithfield, Wetherill Park, Prairiewood, Busby, Cartwright, Miller, Prestons, Lurnea and Liverpool. Certain services stop at all stations; others stop at all stations between Bonnyrigg and Parramatta. Stations, spaced around 800 m apart, are located at:

★ 'Liverpool' (rail interchange)

★ Macquarie

★ Memorial

★ Brickmakers

★ Maxwells

★ Ash (connect to bus routes 853, 854, 855)

★ 'Miller'

★ Hinchinbrook

★ Cartwright

★ Busby

★ Green Valley

★ Brown (connect to bus route 833)

★ 'Bonnyrigg' (connect to bus routes 826, 827, 831)

★ Clear Paddock

★ St Johns

★ Orphan School

★ 'Prairiewood' (connect to bus routes 800, 826, 827)

★ Horsley

★ Victoria (connect to bus route 829)

★ Elizabeth

★ Wetherill

★ 'Hassall'

★ Gipps

★ Cooper (connect to bus route 808)

★ Smithfield

★ Warren

★ Woodpark

★ Canal

★ 'Sherwood' (connect to bus routes 811, 813, 815)

★ Centenary

★ Finalyson

★ Coleman

★ Mays Hill

★ Pitt

★ 'Parramatta' (rail interchange)
''Major stations are shown in bold.''

Transitways in Sydney

Main articles: T-way

Transitways were conceived as an alternative to commuter railway services because of the lower cost and higher flexibility that they offer. Transitways can be constructed without the need for a dedicated corridor or tunnel. Buses can join and leave the transitway at various points along the route, giving the T-way a wider feeder area than rail.
The T-ways are built as separate bus-only roads where undeveloped railway and motorway corridors are available, and as bus-only lanes on existing roads.
Transitways can only be used 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. Other bus-only roadways exist in Sydney including a bus roadway at Moore Park and a dedicated roadway in the centre of the M2 Hills Motorway. In addition, 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

1. ''Bus use defended''


★

★ Liverpool-Parramatta T-way