Since it was established in 2013, residents of Macarthur Heights have been living in a public transport desert.
It was kind of assumed that everyone who moved into a house there would have a car and could drive themselves to work or the nearest railway station, which is Macarthur.
It turned out that wasn’t the case, and many residents were forced to walk the long walk to Macarthur railway station.
Seven years ago, the member of Campbelltown Greg Warren took on their cause to have buses introduced in the estate located on the western side of the railway line.
From July 5, the community of Macarthur Heights will enjoy a bus service just like everyone else.
A new 849 route will connect residents with Macarthur Station, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown TAFE, Campbelltown Hospital and Macarthur Square.
The service will run every 30 minutes between 6am and 10pm, seven days a week.
It is part of a push to boost bus service between outer South West Sydney and Western Sydney International airport before it opens later this year.
“I have been fighting alongside the Macarthur Heights community since 2019 to deliver the essential bus services that they not only need, but deserve, and I am proud that this service is being delivered by the Minns Labor Government,’’ Mr Warren said.
“In nearby Menangle and Menangle Park, the 889 service which previously only ran up to 12 times a day six days a week, will become a seven day a week service with additional 83 trips per week.’’
On July 5, the new 849 and the increased 889 services will begin service alongside the five brand new bus routes connecting Campbelltown (845), Liverpool (825), Leppington (860), Mount Druitt (772) and Penrith (790) with the new airport at Badgerys Creek (see map below).
Route 840 between Campbelltown and Oran Park will also be improved to operate every 30 minutes across the week and extended to Leppington, replacing route 858.
Transit Systems NSW managing director Rino Matarazzo said the company was “delighted’’ to bring these new and expanded services to South West Sydney.
“Connecting communities like Macarthur Heights to jobs, education and healthcare is exactly why we do what we do,’’ he said.
