Likewise,route 261 from Lane Cove to the CBD will terminate at North Sydney instead of King Street Wharf.

Route 259 from the Macquarie Centre to Chatswood will be axed,and partially replaced by a new route – 516 – in a section between Chatswood and North Ryde.

As part of the changes,only bendy buses will operate on the 500X route from West Ryde to the CBD via Victoria Road in an effort to increase passenger capacity. The opening of theRozelle interchange for the WestConnex tollway late last year caused congestion alongVictoria Road,and led to greater demand for public transport.

Extra bendy buses – also referred to as articulated buses – will also run on the 120 route from Chatswood to the CBD.

Transport for NSW Co-ordinator-General Howard Collins said Busways was consulting staff to refine its draft plans for region seven services,and the final timetable would be based on patronage data and passenger feedback.

“The new timetable is being introduced as part of improvements to Sydney’s transport network,aiming to connect more buses to the Sydney Metro,” he said in a statement. “We will update the community once the plans are finalised.”

The agency declined to answer questions about what changes would be made to bus services in other parts of Sydney as a result of the opening of the metro rail line.

Rail,Tram and Bus Union state divisional president Peter Grech said the planned bus changes were another example of Transport for NSW messing with the system without regard for how it would affect people’s lives.

“People rely heavily on their local bus services. We need a transport system focused on improving services for commuters,not one focused on trying to funnel people onto a metro service in order to justify its build,” he said.

Busways was approached for comment.

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