T-way

Public transport infrastructure in Sydney|name=Sydney T-way Network
logo=|transport_mode=Bus rapid transit system
"Complete/Under construction"|operation_area=Western Sydney|line_owner=Ministry of Transport|line_length=90 kilometres|operator_names=Western Sydney Buses
Busways
Hillsbus T-way or a transitway is a bus rapid transit line in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia.

T-ways were conceived as an alternative to commuter railway services because of the lower cost and higher flexibility that they offer. T-ways can be constructed without the need for a dedicated corridor or tunnel. Buses can join and leave the T-way along the route, giving the T-way a wider feeder area than rail.

T-ways are bus-only roads where undeveloped railway and motorway corridors are available, and bus-only lanes on existing roads.

The NSW Government advocated T-ways in order to meet the growing public transport needs of Western Sydney in a planning document called "Action for Transport 2010". The plan called for 90-kilometre-long bus rapid transit network linking a number of major centres west of Strathfield. To date, only two T-ways have been commenced and only one, Liverpool-Parramatta, has been completed.

T-ways can be used only by rapid bus services, selected local bus services and emergency vehicles. Other motorists using a bus lane (except to turn or overtake) can be fined. Other bus-only roads in Sydney include one at Moore Park and a dedicated roadway in the centre of the M2 Hills Motorway. Sydney has a large and expanding network of bus-only lanes on main roads.

Liverpool-Parramatta T-way

The line runs through the central business district of Parramatta, before heading onto the Great Western Highway to South Wentworthville, after which it heads onto its own alignment next to the Sydney Water pipeline that runs from Prospect reservoir. It then proceeds on its own alignment in an old freeway reservation through to Hoxton Park. At Brickmakers' Creek in Liverpool it heads onto its own alignment to access the main centre of Liverpool and the railway station bus interchange.

North-West T-way

The T-way consists of two sections, one linking Parramatta railway station and Rouse Hill, the other linking Blacktown and Parklea. The lines intersect at Burns interchange in Parklea. For the most part, stops are named for the streets they sit on.

The T-way was approved in February 2004 and the Rouse Hill to Parramatta section opened on March 10, 2007. The Blacktown to Parklea section is planned to open in late 2007.

Future T-ways

The 1998 "Action for Transport 2010" plan called for seven T-ways to be constructed by 2010:

ee also

*Liverpool-Parramatta T-way
*North-West T-way

External links

* [http://www.t-way.nsw.gov.au/ T-way official website]

References