Riverina buses will now be trackable, allowing commuters the chance to see if buses are running on time. Photo: Busabout.
After years of waiting, public transport users in the Riverina can now keep track of the whereabouts of local buses.
As part of the Transport Connected Bus program, Riverina residents can now see if buses are running on time, and receive real-time updates and locations of active buses.
The announcement comes only a couple of months after it was confirmed Wagga Wagga residents would finally get ticketless payment options on local busses.
The upgrades give rural and regional communities more reliable trips, with passengers able to:
- Track their bus in real time using any travel app, including Opal Travel or via Transport for NSW’s Trip Planner website
- Get accurate arrival times and capacity information
- Access interactive maps, digital timetables, and route information
- Plan smoother journeys through Transport for NSW’s Trip Planner.
The smart technology system brings rural and regional NSW in line with greater Sydney and outer metropolitan areas. It means the state’s entire fleet of contracted buses, on regular and school services, can be tracked by passengers.
As well as benefiting passengers, this data gives Transport and bus operators the tools to improve operations management to help keep services running on time.
Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said she heard the public outcry from regional public transport users and was happy to unveil the new technology.
“As someone who represents a regional community, I know how frustrating it is for regional commuters and public transport users who feel left behind when it comes to accessing real-time data. No matter where you live in NSW, you deserve the same quality public transport experience,” she said.
“The NSW Government isn’t just upgrading buses – we’re levelling the playing field and building stronger, more connected regional communities.
“With more than 40 million regional bus journeys every year, every passenger deserves a smooth, reliable trip. These upgrades eliminate the guesswork; now you’ll know exactly where your bus is and when it will arrive.
“This NSW Government is building better communities and a better NSW, ensuring regional areas aren’t left behind but are equipped with the same world-class transport technology as our biggest cities.”
The new technology is already in effect in the Riverina and the rest of regional NSW.
Currently, 3010 contracted buses across rural and regional NSW, which collectively cover more than 3880 routes and around 316,000 kilometres per day, are fitted with GPS and automatic passenger counting technology.
