Connectivity for Wentworth Point residents has received a boost, thanks to the addition of a new zero-emissions bus.
This brings the popular Baylink Shuttle fleet to three full-size electric buses, with the capacity to carry more than 24,000 passenger trips every week.
Fully funded by developer Billbergia, the additional new electric bus started on Monday, May 6.
In addition to the new sustainable bus, Billbergia has launched its new Bus Tracker app, which enables residents to plan their commute and monitor each shuttle in real time.
The Baylink Shuttle is proposed to be ongoing until the delivery of the Parramatta Light Rail in 2031 under a $70 million community infrastructure package offered to Council by the developer for the last stage of its development at Wentworth Point.
The Baylink Shuttle is free and operates from 6:30am to 8pm every weekday. It connects the suburbs of Wentworth Point, Sydney Olympic Park Ferry Wharf and Rhodes Station, two shopping centres, the Library and Community Centre and the primary school, and the childcare centre.
It has carried out over 5 million passenger trips since Billbergia commenced the service in January 2018.
Aside from providing a means of reliable public transport, electric buses create less noise and air pollution – delivering a combination of greater comfort, cleaner air, and lower emissions than standard diesel buses.
The new electric bus is also expected to reduce the traffic and emissions caused by private vehicle use within the suburbs of Wentworth Point and Rhodes.
“Boosting the Baylink Shuttle service reflects our commitment to delivering vibrant and sustainable communities, and since its inception in 2018, the Baylink service has seen strong demand from residents,” Joseph Kinsella, Director of Billbergia, said.
“Creating communities means delivering the essential services and infrastructure that people need to thrive. Billbergia is committed not just to providing quality housing, but also to entire communities delivering on amenity, transport connectivity, and innovation in sustainability.”
The Baylink Shuttle was introduced by Billbergia in January 2018 to assess community demand for a regular weekday public transport connection between Wentworth Point, Sydney Olympic Park Ferry Wharf and Rhodes. With its ongoing operation, the bright green shuttles are now a regular sight in Wentworth Point’s daily life.
Under its proposed $70 million Voluntary Planning Agreement for Wentworth Point, Billbergia will continue to run the Baylink Shuttle until 2031, and also deliver 1.6ha of public parkland and open space, a multi-purpose indoor sports centre, childcare centres with 180 places, and an activated waterfront promenade with restaurants and cafes.
The Baylink Shuttle service is operated for Billbergia by Punchbowl Bus Co – a family-run transport operator that has provided local bus services to Sydney since 1947.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other projects.