CBD Mobility Forum

Quarterly update on actions from the Mobility Forum - July 2009

Action Status Notes/explanation
Public Transport
Implement cashless buses in the CBD Commenced and ongoing
  • All STA buses operating in the Sydney CBD became cashless 7am – 7pm Mondays to Fridays from 22 June 2009
  • All private buses operating in the Sydney CBD are targeted to become cashless by December 2009
Implement the CBD Bus Strategy Commenced and ongoing Elements of the CBD Bus Strategy introduced during World Youth Day have been retained including:
  • standardisation of peak time bus lane hours to between 6am – 10am and 3pm - 8pm;
  • new bus lanes and new Mid City Interchange in Park St;
  • new Domain bus layover (interim - 4 spaces);
  • extension of bus lanes in George and Elizabeth Sts;
  • new bus only right turn from George into Park Sts; and
  • extension of buses terminating at QVB to the new Domain bus layover.
Further initiatives to be implemented in the second half of 2010 include
  • removal of buses from Castlereagh St;
  • expansion of the bus layover at the Domain to 20 spaces;
  • streamline the CBD bus network (less buses at QVB and Circular Quay);
  • further action to reduce northern CBD bus congestion at Wynyard, QVB, Clarence and York Sts.
Roll-out of additional 300 buses and fast track delivery of 150 articulated buses Commenced and Ongoing
  • Funding approved from 2009/10 financial year
  • All buses have now been ordered
  • Rollout of additional buses commenced from June 2009
Review existing bus priority projects on strategic corridors near the CBD to ensure they remain complementary, well aligned and properly sequenced Commenced and Ongoing
  • The Joint RTA / Ministry of Transport Bus Priority Project Control Group has reviewed existing and planned bus priority measures on approaches to the Sydney CBD and determined that the measures are complementary, strategically aligned and appropriately sequenced.
Progress cashless public transport ticketing Commenced and Ongoing
  • After an expression of interest process, the Government has short listed those entities qualified to proceed to the Request for Proposal stage of the procurement process to deliver an electronic ticketing system for Sydney.
  • As part of the Request for Proposal stage, short listed entities will be required to provide detailed proposals on technical solutions, commercial arrangements, timeframes and costing.
  • A contract with the successful entity is proposed to be signed by 2010.
Road Management
Implement measures to reduce northern congestion at Wynyard, the QVB, Clarence and York Streets. Commenced and Ongoing
  • STA Wynyard Bus Interchange services were made cashless from March 2009
  • STA reduced the number of buses stopping at Lang Park in January 2009, reducing bus congestion from the Harbour Bridge.
  • Micro simulation modelling of options for bus movements at Wynyard has been undertaken and will be further reviewed together with other potential measures by the RTA in collaboration with STA and NSW Transport and Infrastructure.
  • The RTA’s base Sydney CBD micro-simulation traffic model has been updated and recalibrated taking into consideration current timetabled bus services and traffic volumes.
  • Options testing using the RTA’s traffic model will be undertaken from September to determine the optimum road management configuration and bus service strategy to reduce congestion in the northern part of the CBD.
Increase active enforcement of rules against blocking intersections by cars and pedestrians, and put in place box hatching markings on key intersections Commenced and Ongoing
  • A position paper is currently being prepared for Government under the stewardship of NSW Transport and Infrastructure on administrative, legislative and behavioural mechanisms for enhancing the management of transport network incidents. This will include measures to effectively address and mitigate the congestion impacts of vehicles inappropriately blocking intersections and broken down or damaged vehicles not being removed from the road in a timely manner.
  • The Government recently formed a new Transport Coordination Group which brings together operational experts from RailCorp, RTA, Sydney Buses, private bus companies, Sydney Ferries, Ministry of Transport and NSW Police to manage morning and afternoon peaks in the CBD the same way as special events are managed.
  • The coordination group monitors the CBD for issues such as parked cars blocking lanes.
Trial pedestrian count down clocks at selected CBD intersections Commenced and Ongoing
  • The RTA is currently examining the feasibility of a trial of pedestrian countdown timers at traffic signals within the Sydney CBD. Only certain types of countdown timers are suitable for use with the RTA’s advanced adaptive traffic signal control system which by its very nature is constantly adapting the time allocated to different movements in response to traffic demand:
    • Countdown to green walk (yellow phase only – approximately 6 seconds); and
    • Countdown to end of Flashing Don’t Walk Phase (i.e. the safety clearance period for pedestrians)
  • Prior to forming a final position on the feasibility of a trial an independent literature review of international research and experience will commence in September taking into consideration the adaptive traffic signal control system used within Sydney CBD and throughout NSW.
Amend legislation to move damaged cars and support with an education campaign on the new laws Commenced and Ongoing
  • A position paper is currently being prepared for Government under the stewardship of NSW Transport and Infrastructure on administrative, legislative and behavioural mechanisms for enhancing the management of transport network incidents. This will include measures to effectively address and mitigate the congestion impacts of vehicles inappropriately blocking intersections and broken down or damaged vehicles not being removed from the road in a timely manner
Investigate potential for Live Message Screens about CBD parking availability on CBD approaches Action will commence during the second half of 2009
Implement time of day tolling on the Harbour Bridge Complete
  • Time of day tolling was introduced on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in January 2009.
  • Motorists have adapted well to the changes and traffic volumes reflect a marked increase in people travelling before the morning peak period, with numbers during the peak period between 6.30am and 9.30am remaining consistently lower than the same time period in the previous year.
Increase parking levies in the CBD Complete
  • The Government increased the the parking space levy from July 2009.
  • The rise will inject $58 million into public transport infrastructure projects such as commuter car parks and transport interchanges.
Working with the City of Sydney
Work with City of Sydney to promote mobility and amenity in the CBD Ongoing
  • The Government is continuing to work with the City of Sydney to discuss ways to improve mobility in the CBD.
Continue Major Transport initiatives
Continue major transport initiatives like the Sydney Metro, Epping-Chatswood Rail Link and Bike Plan Commenced and Ongoing
  • The Government has opened the Epping - Chatswood Rail Link, details of which can be viewed here.
  • The Government has begun planning approvals for the new Sydney Metro, between Central and Rozelle, details of which can be viewed at here.
  • The NSW Government is currently preparing a new cycling blueprint, the new NSW BikePlan
  • The first major step in the new BikePlan is now complete, following the release of the in-depth report Cycling in New South Wales: What the data tells us, details of which can be viewed here.
  • The development of NSW BikePlan is now being finalised with initiatives covering six thematic areas:
    • Encourage more cycling
    • Create connected cycling networks
    • Make cycling safe for all
    • Plan cycle-friendly neighbourhoods
    • Grow jobs in cycling
    • Get organisations working together to grow cycling
  • The Government has also established NSW Transport and Infrastructure which brings together functions concerning planning, policy, coordination, funding, performance monitoring, infrastructure development and asset management for the delivery of transport services. A key task for the new department is the development of a Transport Blueprint to ensure Sydney’s future transport needs are met.

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