Sutherland Shire’s new on-demand minibus service trial will start in the Caringbah and Gymea zones at 8.30am tomorrow (Sunday, November 19).
Residents can make a booking via the website or mobile phone app but phone bookings can only be made on weekdays.
Services won’t start in the Jannali West and Sylvania zones until Monday.
Minibuses will run in all zones from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and for varying hours on the weekend, depending on the zone.
The standard fare will be $2.60 and $1.30 for concession card holders.
Bus company Transdev will conduct the trial for at least six months and, depending on the response, for up to two years.
The state government is funding the trial as part of the Future Transport program.
Four Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses will pick up passengers from their home address or designated local pick-up point and take them to their nearest transport hub, hospital or shopping centre.
If a seat is not available on the requested service, a “go earlier” or “go later” alternative will be offered.
Cronulla MP and Attorney-General Mark Speakman said the trial was a stand-alone operation that would not affect any existing bus services.
“Data from the trial will be used to inform future public transport improvements for the region and across the transport network,” he said.
Miranda MP Eleni Petinos said the scheme was “about personalising the transport experience”.
“We know people want to manage their own time and become less reliant on timetables, which is why on-demand public transport services are designed to arrive where and when people need them,” she said.
Visit: transdevlink.com.au