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B-Line (Sydney)

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B1
Gemilang bodied MAN A95 on Clarence Street
Overview
OperatorKeolis Downer Northern Beaches
GarageMona Vale
VehicleGemilang Coachworks bodied MAN A95s
Began service26 November 2017
Predecessors190
Former operator(s)State Transit
Night-timeBN1
Route
LocaleSydney, Australia
StartMona Vale
ViaWarriewood
Narrabeen
Collaroy
Dee Why
Brookvale
Manly Vale
Spit Junction
Neutral Bay
EndWynyard Park
Length31 kilometres (19 mi)
Stops10
Service
LevelDaily
Frequency3-4 minutes (peak)
7-10 minutes (off-peak)
30 minutes (night)
Journey time65 minutes
Annual patronage5.9 million (2018)
TimetableTransport for NSW
B1 B-Line route
Legend
 Wynyard Station
Wynyard railway station, Sydney Barangaroo ferry wharf CBD and South East Light Rail#Wynyard
 Sydney Harbour Bridge
Neutral Bay Junction
Spit Junction
Spit Bridge
Manly Vale
Warringah Mall
Dee Why
Collaroy
Narrabeen
South Creek
Warriewood
Mona Vale

The B-Line is a high-frequency bus route operated by Keolis Downer Northern Beaches between Wynyard Station in Sydney's central business district and the Northern Beaches region. It is a part of the Sydney suburban bus network.

History

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In November 2015, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) announced the construction of a 27 kilometre bus rapid transit network between Newport on the Northern Beaches and the Sydney central business district. It began operating on 26 November 2017 as route B1 between Mona Vale and Wynyard Park. A planned extension to Newport was later cancelled following opposition from local residents with concerns that improved public transport infrastructure would be used to justify new high density housing developments.[1][2][3] The route is operated by double deck buses.[4][5][6]

Route B1 services stop at nine B-Line stops at Mona Vale, Warriewood, Narrabeen, Collaroy, Dee Why, Brookvale, Manly Vale, Spit Junction and Neutral Bay. Commuter car parks have been built at Mona Vale, Warriewood, Narrabeen, Dee Why, Brookvale and Manly Vale.[4][5][7]

The B-Line is operated by Keolis Downer Northern Beaches's Mona Vale depot as part of Region 8.[8]

Buses on the B-Line trial Mobileye, a new forward-facing collision avoidance technology system which has been developed by Intel.[9]

In the first year of operation to November 2018, 5.9 million passengers were carried.[10]

On 20 December 2020, the B-Line commenced operating 24-hours a day, extended between midnight and 5am to the Queen Victoria Building as route BN1.[11][12] In October 2021 it was included in the takeover of region 8 by Keolis Downer Northern Beaches.[13]

Due to a large number of bus drivers leaving, severe cancellations and wait times are commonplace on the route.[14]

Changes to Northern Beaches bus network

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When the B-line opened, there were various changes to the bus network on the Northern Beaches.[15][16] The more significant changes were:

  • Discontinuation of 23 routes such as E84, E86, E87, E88, L84, L85, L87, L88, 130, 140, 153, 179, 187 and 190
  • Introduction of 4 new routes in addition to route B1
  • Reduction of service times and frequency to L90
  • Extension of M30 from Spit Junction to Taronga Zoo, replacing daytime route 247 services
  • Renumbering non-discontinued L routes to E routes

Vehicles

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To operate the B-Line, 38 Gemilang Coachworks bodied MAN A95s were purchased.[17][18] 3 additional vehicles have since been added to the fleet, including 1 from CDC NSW Terrey Hills making up a total of 42 double decker vehicles utilised for the service. They have audio/video systems on board that announce the next stops, along with connections and places of interest at the stop. The buses have free double USB charging points per pair of seats. Painted in a dedicated yellow and blue livery, these are the first double deck buses to be operated by a NSW government operator since the Urban Transit Authority withdrew its last Leyland Atlanteans in 1986.[19]

Stops

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All B-Line bus stops incorporate a real-time passenger information display that displays the departure time, destination, route number and number of passengers on board the next few buses to arrive at the stop (including non B-Line services).[20]

Wynyard

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Wynyard Park is the southern terminus of the line. The B-Line drops off passengers on York Street and picks up passengers from Stand B on Carrington Street. This stop connects the B-Line to train services at Wynyard railway station.[21]

Neutral Bay

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The Neutral Bay citybound bus stop is located on Military Road between Rangers Road and Wycombe Road. Citybound B-Line buses depart from Stand A, along with all other citybound buses. Commuters can change here for bus services towards Chatswood, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydenham, North Sydney and Milsons Point The northbound bus stop is located between Young Street and Waters Road. Northbound B-Line buses depart from Stand E, along with all other Northern Beaches buses. Commuters can change here for buses towards Balmoral Beach, Taronga Zoo and Mosman Junction.[22]

Spit Junction (Mosman)

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The Spit Junction citybound bus stop is located on a newly built pedestrian plaza on Clifford Street. This bus stop started operating concurrently with the B-Line, with the older bus stop located closer to the junction of Military Road and Spit Road being closed. To facilitate its construction, a disused Greater Union cinema was purchased and demolished.[23][24][25] The northbound bus stop remains in the same location on Spit Road although, like all other stops, fitted with new seating and real-time passenger information displays.

Manly Vale

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The Manly Vale bus stop is located on Condamine Street north of Kenneth Road.[26] The bus stops at Manly Vale feature weather protection. The bus stop also features one of the six new commuter car parks which have been planned for B-Line bus stops. The Manly Vale B-Line commuter car park consists of a three-stories structure which has 150 spaces and incorporates around 9000 plants in a breathing green wall, helping to reduce air pollutants for nearby residents.[27]

Warringah Mall (Brookvale)

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The Warringah Mall citybound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, north of William Street. The northbound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, adjacent to Westfield Warringah Mall shopping centre. Commuters can change here for bus services towards Chatswood, Frenchs Forest, Manly as Northern Beaches surrounds. A commuter car park is available at this stop.[28]

Dee Why

[edit]

The Dee Why citybound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, between Howard Avenue and Oaks Avenue. The northbound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, south of St David Avenue. Commuters can change here for bus services to Chatswood, Frenchs Forest, Cromer, Narraweena, Collaroy Plateau and Wheeler Heights. A commuter car park is available at this stop.[29]

Collaroy

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The Collaroy citybound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, alongside the historic Arlington Amusement Hall. The northbound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, between Fielding Avenue and Collaroy Street.[30]

Narrabeen

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The Narrabeen citybound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, between Waterloo Street and Albert Street. The northbound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road with access to Berry Reserve. A commuter car park is available at this stop.[31]

Warriewood

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The Warriewood citybound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, adjacent to North Narrabeen Reserve. The northbound bus stop is located on Pittwater Road, north of Jacksons Road, with access to Boondah Reserve. A commuter car park is available at this stop.[32]

Mona Vale

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Mona Vale is the northern terminus of the line. The B-Line drops passengers off on Barranjoey Road, between Pittwater Road and Park Street and picks up passengers on Barranjoey Road, near Kitchener Park. Commuters can change here for bus services towards Macquarie Centre, Gordon, Terrey Hills, McCarrs Creek & Palm Beach. A commuter car park is available at this stop.[33]

References

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  1. ^ Patterson, Robbie (17 July 2018). "B-Line extension to Newport scrapped after residents say they don't want it". Manly Daily. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Your Say B-line". Archived from the original on 25 May 2018.
  3. ^ No B-Line extension to Newport Australian Bus issue 89 September 2018 page 9
  4. ^ a b "New B-Line to transform Northern Beaches Bus travel". Transport for NSW. 9 November 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b Robertson, James (9 November 2015). "Mike Baird's B-Line rapid bus routes for northern beaches". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Thousands of new transport services starting at a stop, wharf and station near you". Transport for NSW. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Keolis Downer B1". Transport for NSW.
  8. ^ Staff Writer (30 November 2017). "Sydney metro MAN A95 buses delivered". Australasian Bus and Coach. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Making a B-Line for safety". Transport for NSW. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  10. ^ "B-Line success – $5.9 million passenger trips in first year". Transport for NSW. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 6 December 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus service improvements". Transportnsw.info. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Keolis Downer route BN1". Transport for NSW.
  13. ^ New Bus Operator to Electrify Fleet Transport for NSW 28 May 2021
  14. ^ Smee, Kim (9 March 2023). "Bus stop battleground: promises made to beat commuter queues". Manly Observer. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  15. ^ Northern Beaches bus service plan Transport New South Wales
  16. ^ Bus Changes November 2017 Archived 2017-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, Transport NSW Info
  17. ^ MAN double-deckers for Sydney Northern Beaches Archived 27 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Bus & Coach 15 September 2016
  18. ^ B-Line Australian Bus Panorama issue 32/4 January 2017 page 27
  19. ^ Room at the top: double deckers return to Sydney Archived 3 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 24 August 2012
  20. ^ Transport for NSW, Customer Experience Division. "Mona Vale B-Line". transportnsw.info. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Wynyard – CBD". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Neutral Bay". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Mosman and Spit Junction". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  24. ^ Spit Junction cinema to be demolished to make way for B-Line rapid transit bus service Archived 13 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine North Shore Times 27 January 2016
  25. ^ Work begins to clear old cinema building at Spit Junction Archived 13 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 27 February 2017
  26. ^ "Manly Vale". Your Say B-Line Northern Beaches. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  27. ^ Manly Vale Car Park Archived 23 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine Junglefly
  28. ^ "Brookvale". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Dee Why". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Collaroy". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Narrabeen". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Warriewood". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Mona Vale". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
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