Liverpool–Parramatta T-way

Liverpool–Parramatta T-way
Mode	Bus rapid transit line
Owner	Transport for NSW
Operator(s)	Western Sydney Buses
Connects	Liverpool Parramatta
Length	30 km
Stations	35
Patronage	41,500 per week[1]
Line colour	Blue
Key dates
2003	Opened

The Liverpool–Parramatta T-way is a bus rapid transit line in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. "T-way" is short for rapid bus transitway.

Route and services

The T-way links the railway stations at Parramatta and Liverpool via a series of bus-only roadways and bus lanes. Services along 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.^[1] Patronage has increased significantly, with annual patronage increasing by 328,000 in 2006.^[2] A second line, the North-West T-way, opened in March 2007, linking Parramatta with Blacktown and Rouse Hill.

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 the centre of Liverpool and the railway station bus interchange.

The T-way has 35 stations, spaced every 800 metres. These stations are more substantial than normal bus stops, which has led to criticism that the system is overly costly and vulnerable to vandalism. These stations have:

• closed circuit television cameras
• extensive lighting
• display screens that provide real-time information on arrival and departure times
• real-time digital information
• easy accessibility
• bicycle parking
• emergency help points
• landscaping
• plate glass walls

.^[1]

Services

Services on the T-way are numbered T80 and operated by Western Sydney Buses. In peak hours buses run every 10 minutes; at other times every 15–30 minutes;, late at night hourly.

Services were initially provided by 17 natural-gas powered buses in blue and yellow T-way livery. These have been replaced by Volvo Euro 3 diesel buses. All services are wheelchair-accessible and air-conditioned.

Liverpool–Parramatta stations

The Liverpool–Parramatta T-way serves Parramatta, Mays Hill, South Wentworthville, Merrylands West, Woodpark, Smithfield, Wetherill Park, Prairiewood, Busby, Cartwright, Miller, Prestons, Lurnea and Liverpool. There are two routes: most services stop at all stations;, with a limited service running only between Bonnyrigg and Parramatta. Stations are as follows:

Name of station (Major stations in bold)	Fare Section	Stopping Patterns		Suburbs Served	Connections
Liverpool-Parramatta T-way
Liverpool	19			Liverpool	■Inner West Line, ■South Line, ■Cumberland Line, ■Bankstown Line (CityRail)
Macquarie	18			Liverpool
Memorial	18			Liverpool
Brickmakers	17			Liverpool
Maxwells	16			Cartwright, Lurnea
Ash	15			Miller, Prestons	Bus routes 853, 854
Miller	14			Miller, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park	Bus routes 853, 854
Hinchinbrook	14			Hinchinbrook, Miller
Cartwright	14			Hinchinbrook, Miller, Busby
Busby	13			Busby, Green Valley
Green Valley	12			Green Valley, Bonnyrigg Heights
Brown	12			Bonnyrigg Heights	Bus route 833
Bonnyrigg	12			Bonnyrigg	Bus routes 826, 827, 831
St Johns	11			St Johns Park, Wakeley, Prairiewood
Orphan School	10			Prairiewood, Bossley Park
Prariewood	10			Prairiewood, Bossley Park	Bus Routes 800, 826, 827
Horsley	9			Bossley Park, Wetherill Park
Victoria	9			Wetherill Park	Bus Route 829
Elizabeth	8			Wetherill Park
Wetherill	8			Wetherill Park
Hassall	7			Wetherill Park, Prospect
Gipps	6			Smithfield, Greystanes, Prospect
Cooper	6			Smithfield	Bus Route 808
Smithfield	5			Smithfield
Warren	4			Smithfield, Woodpark
Woodpark	4			Woodpark, Guildford West
Canal	3			Merrylands West
Sherwood	3			Wetherill Park	Bus Routes 811, 813, 815
Centenary	2			South Wentworthville
Finlayson	2			Wentworthville, South Wentworthville
Coleman	1			Westmead, Wentworthville, South Wentworthville
Mays Hill	1			Westmead, Mays Hill
Pitt	0			Parramatta
Argyle	0			Parramatta
Parramatta	0			Parramatta	■Blue Mountains Line, ■Cumberland Line, ■Western Line (CityRail), Bus Routes at Parramatta Interchange.

T-ways in Sydney

T-ways were conceived as an alternative to commuter railway services because of their potential lower cost and higher flexibility. T-ways can be constructed without the need for a dedicated corridor or tunnel. Buses can join and leave the T-way along the route, giving the T-way a wider feeder area than rail.

T-ways are separate bus-only roads where undeveloped railway and motorway corridors are available, and as bus-only lanes on existing roads.

T-ways can be used only 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. There are other bus-only roads in Sydney, including at Moore Park and a dedicated roadway in the centre of the M2 Hills Motorway. 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

• "Sydney’s New Rapid Bus T-way Makes its Debut Run" (Press release). State Transit Authority of New South Wales. 2003-02-14. http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/media/2003/14-02-03-tway.pdf. Retrieved 2006-12-13. 
• "Liverpool-Parramatta T-way". Archived from the original on 2006-08-19. http://web.archive.org/web/20060819011321/http://www.t-way.nsw.gov.au/lp-home.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-13.