RESIDENT CONCERNS REGARDING THE 156 BUS SERVICE _ MONA VALE TO CHURCH POINT
This matter has been raised by BCPRA members and local residents expressing a range of concerns with the current service.
Whilst it was strongly emphasised that residents value their access to a reliable Public Transport system, there are a number concerns linked to SAFETY, NOISE and ENVIRONMENT that they are seeking to be addressed through a more “ FIT FOR PURPOSE “ service.
Update: The most recent advice from The Member for Pittwater, Hon Rob Stokes confirmed “The new 18 seater vehicles used by Keoride, on its on demand services are wheelchair and pram accessible.“ This service is running concurrent with the regular service.
With regards to trailing more suitably sized and “fit for purpose“ vehicles along the 156 route he indicated his office would “Convey to Keolis Downer that the community would be open to a trail of smaller vehicles on this route.”
The Association has yet to gain access to the usage data on the service which it anticipates will highlight very low usage outside peak times.
The position taken by the association remains to maintain the standards and level of the public transport service using smaller , preferably electrically power , smaller and fit for purpose vehicles along this narrow and winding route .
In early 2021 BCPRA wrote to the Local State member Rob Stokes providing background to the issue, outlining a range of concerns and seeking his reference of the matter to Andrew Constance , Minister for Transport. (See Attachment )
Whilst awaiting further advice from the Minister/s, Minister Constance released advice via the Media in late May 2021 that all of the Public Bus Transport service being provided within the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore LGA's were to be “privatised “ transitioning to the new contract provider beginning late October 2021.
The new contractor was named as Keolis Downer, responsible for providing a trial service “Keoride “, a locality specific service designed to provide time responsive linkage to main transport corridors from smaller feeder routes. That service is to now be provided on a permanent basis. (https://www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au/2021/05/28/keoride-wins-bus-contract/ Article courtesy Northern Beaches Advocate).
Moving forward and in light of the advice concerning the transfer of operational responsibility to Keolis Downer, the association will seek to engage the new operator regarding local concerns and clarify the possibility of introducing the use of appropriate and fit for purpose vehicles to service the 156 Bus route.
Members and residents should continue to provide any further information concerning this matter of interest.
Resident concerns with Bus Services –Mona Vale to Church Point.
The Bayview Church Point Residents Association has received considerable expressions of concern regarding the 156 Bus Service as it is currently provided between Mona Vale and the end of line turn around point opposite 230 McCarrs Creek Road.
Issues of concern:
Based on extensive resident observation and anecdotal reporting by the bus drivers, the service currently being provided is grossly under-utilised. This is particularly the case along the McCarrs Creek Road section of the service.
In general, the buses used to provide the service are the standard large buses used across metropolitan routes. More recently, the extra large “bendy buses” are also being used to provide the service.
The frequency of the service is erratic, spread over a time period ranging from approximately 5.45am to 12.15am 24/7. The scheduling of services is confusing in that it is common for as many as 2-3 buses to be servicing the route at any one time. At the McCarrs Creek roundabout it is often the case that buses are double and triple parked for 10-15 minute at a time. There are also “Not in Service” buses running up and down the route, a distance of close to 20km, for no apparent reason.
The latter half of the route along McCarrs Creek Road is consistently narrow and winding.
Impact
The service as currently provided is grossly inefficient and the vehicles being used are not fit for purpose for this type of service and locale.
There are considerable safety concerns associated with the current service due to the local terrain and the need for bus drivers to cross over into oncoming traffic on several bends along the road. The road is heavily utilised by residents and recreational drivers and increasing volumes of cyclists due to the scenic nature of the area and as a thoroughfare through the Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park to Mona Vale Road.
Due to the overall narrowness of the road, buses are rarely able to pull off the main road to pick up or drop off passengers. This results in traffic congestion and unsafe practices by other road users attempting to overtake them.
The use of the much larger “bendy buses” has increased these concerns with evidence of the vehicles being unable to actually turn around at the turning circle and blocking the roadway thoroughfare.
There is considerable environmental impact of both noise and air pollution with the current vehicles. Residents are continuously having to report the impact of buses running their engines continuously whilst standing, despite official signage to drivers to turn engines off. Due to the unique geographic nature of the area the engine noise generated by the buses is exceptionally loud and echoes widely, impacting many residents.
Recommendations:
In light of current information regarding the NSW Government intention to privatise bus services within the Northern Beaches, it would be timely to look to improving the services going forward by addressing the above concerns in any future contract development.
It would be optimal to provide bus services along this route with much smaller “mini bus” type vehicles. Ideally, and consistent with community expectations, electric powered vehicles could be utilised, thereby negating the current pollution concerns.
Trial of a reduced schedule of the current buses with an off-set campaign to encourage greater utilisation of the on-demand “Keoride” service.
Summary:
Residents strongly value the provision of an accessible and efficient “fit for purpose” public transport service, and in no way want to see any curtailment of that service.
Equally, the current service is viewed as inefficient, represents constant safety risks to all road users, and does not meet contemporary expectations concerning noise and air pollution standards.
