Metrobus a few years on: a success?

[moa999]

If you are referring to the limited Captain Cook service, Opal is on the way some time in the first half..

But I think they would want a more frequent service.

Agreed.
But now that Sydney Ferries is privatised I would have thought their is rationale behind actually incorporating it fully in the Public system.

Manly Ferry is arguably different as it's a premium (express) service.

(Presumably Captain Cook actually makes money on the routes as it stands)

[VivalaBuses]

But nothing like a shiny new toy for the pollies to wheel out for the voters, and gives the marketing types something to crow about. Bit like what we now have with the B-Line. From the recent timetable changes and with standard livery buses appearing on Metrobus routes and vice versa as often as not, seems that inevitably the brand will quitely be phased out.

I would say that it has commenced - Hillsbus have repainted their first Metrobus into TfNSW livery.

[Fleet Lists]

Transdev has done at least five over the last few years - with new Metrobus unit also in blue and white.

[boronia]

Agreed.
But now that Sydney Ferries is privatised I would have thought their is rationale behind actually incorporating it fully in the Public system.

Manly Ferry is arguably different as it's a premium (express) service.

(Presumably Captain Cook actually makes money on the routes as it stands)

Sydney Ferries is only "privatised" in the sense that a private company actually operates the ferries. It is still part of the Government network.

MFF and CCC can be compared, whether "premium or not, as they are privately owned companies and can set their own fares (within limits determined by IPART)

[swtt]

But nothing like a shiny new toy for the pollies to wheel out for the voters, and gives the marketing types something to crow about. Bit like what we now have with the B-Line. From the recent timetable changes and with standard livery buses appearing on Metrobus routes and vice versa as often as not, seems that inevitably the brand will quitely be phased out.

I would say that it has commenced - Hillsbus have repainted their first Metrobus into TfNSW livery.

Which one is it???

[VivalaBuses]

9865, remarkably also the first 14.5m bus in the fleet in TfNSW livery (and possibly the state?)

[boronia]

Not at Eddy Ave:

Eddy Ave TT (Small).jpg

I haven't looked at others yet

Well, I looked at Stand B today, and see that the m30 times are shown with all the other services there.

No consistency what so ever.

[Linto63]

Not strictly a Metrobus service, but a cross-city route nonetheless which has been discussed here, walking west along Broadway this afternoon from Central, of the 4 route 440s that passed me heading towards Bondi Junction, 3 were full and standing while other buses that also came from Parramatta Road, 438, 483, M10s etc were all fairly lightly loaded. While not 100% scientific, given that the 440s could have been first on the scene after a lull at some of the stops, but seemed to indicate a high level of demand for this cross-city route.

[Jurassic_Joke]

While not 100% scientific, given that the 440s could have been first on the scene after a lull at some of the stops, but seemed to indicate a high level of demand for this cross-city route.

I keep saying, everywhere, the government being hell-bent on having everything terminate outside/at the edge of the city (B-line being the latest to be included in this) is not a good thing, nor is it really a good look for visitors that might want to see some of the city on the bus - instead of being egged on to go down the stairs into Wynyard station and see a dark tunnel instead. Some people just don't like changing lines on public transport. They have to give up their seat, risk not being able to get another one, or if its raining, self-explanatory.