Metrobus (Sydney)
Metrobus is an Australian high frequency, high capacity bus network in Sydney that links key employment and growth centres. Metrobuses run every 10 minutes during peak periods, 15 minutes during off-peak weekday periods, and 20 minutes on weekends, with the intention of making timetables obsolete. All buses were initially painted in a distinctive red livery but now often buses in other liveries are used. All Metrobuses are wheelchair accessible. All route numbers were prefixed with an "M" followed by 2 numbers.
History
The network originally operated along bus trunk routes through the inner suburbs, but passed through the CBD rather than terminating there. This reduced overcrowding on the trunk routes without needing to layover extra buses in the CBD. This concept was later diluted with the network's expansion to include long distance routes servicing major activity centres in outer suburbs.The first route, M10 from Leichhardt to Kingsford, began operation on a 12-month trial basis on 12 October 2008. During this period nine regular and six high-capacity buses with different seating arrangements were dedicated to the route.
In March 2009 an expansion of the Metrobus network with the addition of four further routes serving the inner suburbs was announced.
In July 2010 it was announced a further eight new Metrobus routes were to be rolled out in 2011 to service suburbs in Sydney's west, north, north-west, south and south-west. This saw Hillsbus and Veolia Transport become Metrobus operators.
Routes M10, M20, M30, M41 and M50 were included in the transfer of region 6 from State Transit to Transit Systems on 1 July 2018.
During April and May 2019, as part of the opening of Sydney Metro, a number of Metrobus services were renumbered to 3-digit numerical routes, dropping the "M" prefix. while two others were renumbered in February 2020., only six Metrobus services remain.
| Date | Commenced | Notes |
| M10 | 12 Oct 2008 | |
| M20 | 26 Oct 2009 | renumbered 320 in February 2020 |
| M30 | 28 Mar 2010 | renumbered 430 in February 2020 |
| M40 | 18 Jul 2010 | renumbered 340 in April 2019 |
| M41 | 9 Dec 2010 | renumbered 410 in April 2019 |
| M50 | 31 Oct 2010 | |
| M52 | 8 Aug 2010 | |
| M54 | 10 Oct 2010 | renumbered 550 in April 2019 |
| M60 | 7 Mar 2011 | renumbered 600 in May 2019 |
| M61 | 20 Dec 2010 | included back in 610X in May 2019 |
| M90 | 6 Dec 2010 | |
| M91 | 7 Feb 2011 | |
| M92 | 14 Mar 2011 |
Tickets & fares
All Metrobus services use the Opal card system to validate tickets. Metrobus routes M10, M20, M30, M40, M50 have been full-time pre-pay only services since introduction and require passengers to purchase a ticket before boarding. M52, M54, M60 and M61 also became pre-pay during 2018 and 2019.Routes
M10: Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction
Route M10 runs from Leichhardt to Maroubra Junction via Parramatta Road and Anzac Parade, and commenced on 12 October 2008. Route M10 connects with Sydney Trains stations at Central and Museum. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Broadway, Railway Square, Cleveland Street and Kingsford.On 28 December 2008, route M10 was curtailed to Leichhardt Town Hall no longer operating to MarketPlace due to issues raised by Leichhardt Council regarding buses laying over in Lords Road. On 14 November 2010, route M10 was extended to the corner of Norton and William Streets at Leichhardt Pioneer Park. On 26 October 2009, it was extended from Kingsford to Maroubra Junction. Route M10 originally proceeded up George Street before turning into Park and Elizabeth Streets. On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of CBD and South East Light Rail, it was altered to operate via Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue and Elizabeth Street in the Maroubra Junction direction, and via Elizabeth Street, Hay Street and Pitt Street in the Leichhardt direction. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018. On 9 February 2020, M10 was altered to run via Rawson Place, stopping at Haymarket light rail/bus stop to allow cross-platform transfer to and from L2 and L3 light rail services.
After the CBD and South East Light Rail is completed, it is proposed to abolish the City to Maroubra Junction section.
M20: Gore Hill to Botany
Route M20 ran from Gore Hill to Botany via the Pacific Highway, Town Hall station and Botany Road, and commenced on 26 October 2009.It connected with Sydney Trains stations at St Leonards, North Sydney, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. Route M20 originally terminated at Mascot, before being extended to Botany shops on 27 February 2011. Short-working trips were later introduced between Wynyard and Zetland. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018. It was renumbered as route 320 on 9 February 2020 and cut back from Botany to Mascot.
M30: Taronga Zoo to Sydenham
Route M30 ran from Taronga Zoo to Sydenham station via Military Road, Town Hall station and King Street, and commenced on 28 March 2010.It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Wynyard, Town Hall, Central, Newtown and Sydenham. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Neutral Bay Junction, Queen Victoria Building and Railway Square. This service was originally planned to terminate at Enmore Park although Sydenham was chosen as a more appropriate terminus. Route M30 originally operated between Town Hall and Central stations via George Street. On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via Park Street, Castlereagh Street, Hay Street and Pitt Street in the Sydenham direction, and via Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue, Elizabeth Street and Park Street in the Spit Junction direction. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018. It was renumbered as route 430 on 9 February 2020.
M40: Chatswood to Bondi Junction
Route M40 ran from Chatswood station to Bondi Junction station via Willoughby Road, Wynyard station, Town Hall station and Oxford Street, and commenced on 18 July 2010.It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Chatswood, Wynyard, Town Hall, Museum and Bondi Junction stations. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Chatswood, Queen Victoria Building, Wynyard, and Bondi Junction. M40 was renumbered 340 on 28 April 2019. On 4 October 2015, in conjunction with bus network changes to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via College Street and Park Street in both directions instead of via Liverpool Street and Elizabeth Street. M40 was renumbered 340 on 28 April 2019.
M41: Hurstville to Marsfield
Route M41 ran from Hurstville to Marsfield via Bexley North, Clemton Park, Campsie, Burwood, Concord Hospital, Top Ryde City and Macquarie Centre, and commenced on 19 December 2010.It connected passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Hurstville, Bexley North, Campsie, Burwood, Rhodes, Macquarie Park and Macquarie University. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Hurstville, Top Ryde City and Macquarie Centre. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018. M41 was renumbered 410 on 28 April 2019.
M50: Drummoyne to Coogee
Route M50 runs from Drummoyne to Coogee Beach via Victoria Road, the Anzac Bridge, CBD, Fox Studios, Randwick Racecourse, Randwick shops and The Spot, and commenced on 31 October 2010. Route M50 connects with Sydney Trains stations at Town Hall, and Museum. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to the Moore Park area. This service was originally planned to terminate at Randwick although Coogee Beach was decided to be a more appropriate terminus.Route M50 originally ran along Anazc Parade and High Street, passing through Kensington, University of New South Wales and the Prince of Wales Hospital. Due to construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail along High Street, in March 2017, route M50 was amended to operate via Alison and Belmore Roads. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018.
When the CBD and South East Light Rail is completed, it is proposed to abolish the city to Coogee section.
M52: Parramatta to Circular Quay
Route M52 runs from Parramatta to Circular Quay via Victoria Road, Top Ryde City, Town Hall station and commenced on 8 August 2010. It replaced route L20 and is supplemented by the 520 route outside of M52 operating hours.Route M52 connects passengers to Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, West Ryde, Town Hall, St James and Circular Quay. It also allows passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Top Ryde, Queen Victoria Building and Circular Quay. Route M52 originally proceeded down George Street. On 4 October 2015, to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail, it was diverted to operate via Park and Elizabeth Streets instead of George Street.
M54: Parramatta to Macquarie Park
Route M54 ran from Parramatta station to Macquarie Park via Carlingford and Epping, and commenced on 10 October 2010. Route M54 replaced route 548, which was formerly Harris Park Transport route 624.It connected with Sydney Trains stations at Parramatta, Carlingford, Epping, Macquarie University, and Macquarie Park. It also allowed passengers to transfer to regular buses to outer suburbs of Sydney at major transport interchanges such as Parramatta, Epping, and Macquarie Centre. On 5 June 2016, route M54 was extended to operate extra half-hourly services nightly between 8:00pm and midnight. On 6 May 2018, route M54 was extended to operate overnight services at an hourly frequency seven nights a week, thus becoming a 24-hour service. Operation of the route passed from State Transit to Transit Systems with region 6 on 1 July 2018. M54 was renumbered 550 on 28 April 2019.
M60: Parramatta to Hornsby
Route M60 ran from Parramatta station to Hornsby via Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh and Normanhurst, and commenced on 7 March 2011.It connected with Parramatta, Pennant Hills and Hornsby Sydney Trains stations and other bus services at major interchanges Parramatta, Castle Hill and Hornsby. At commencement, M60 replaced daytime 600 services between Parramatta and Castle Hill which operated early morning and late night and one in the afternoon on weekdays and some limited 600 services between Parramatta and Cherrybrook. Other remaining 600 services were replaced on 3 June 2018 M60 was renumbered back to 600 on 26 May 2019.
M61: Castle Hill to Queen Victoria Building
Route M61 ran from Castle Hill to the Queen Victoria Building via Baulkham Hills and the M2 Motorway and complemented the existing 610X service. It commenced on 20 December 2010.It allowed passengers to connect with services to Kellyville, Glenwood, Kellyville Ridge, Bella Vista and Stanhope Gardens at bus stops along the M2 Motorway, as well as the Castle Hill Interchange. Route M61 originally continued south of the Queen Victoria Building to Railway Square via George Street until 4 October 2015 when it was curtailed to facilitate the construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail. In 2017, 610X services that ran between Castle Hill and City only were renumbered M61. M61 ceased operating on 26 May 2019 with all services renumbered 610X.