Darwinbus

Last updated

DarwinBus.png
Territory Transit (mo 3952) Custom Coaches CB80 bodied Mercedes O500LE at Bay F of the Darwin Interchange.jpg
Territory Transit Custom Coaches bodied Mercedes-Benz OC500LE in June 2016
Parent Northern Territory Government
Founded1978
Headquarters Berrimah
Service areaDarwin, Casuarina, Palmerston and Rural Areas
Service type Public Transport
Routes39
Hubs Darwin CBD, Casuarina, Palmerston
Depots3
Fleet79
Operator CDC Northern Territory
Website www.transport.nt.gov.au/public/bus/darwin

Darwinbus is the official operational name of the public bus network which operates within the Greater Darwin region, this includes the satellite cities Palmerston and Casuarina, in addition to the Darwin Rural Area in the Northern Territory. [1] The network is exclusively operated by CDC Northern Territory under a six-year contract with the Northern Territory Government starting from 1 July 2022, [2] and in the financial year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, carried approximately 3.5 million passengers, [3] equivalent to a 5-6% modeshare. [4] Prior to July 2022, the network was operated by two contractors; CDC Northern Territory (previously known as Buslink), and Territory Transit who had shared operation of the majority of urban bus services. [1] [5]

Contents

Services formerly operated by Territory Transit had been run by the government-owned Darwin Bus Service ("DBS") until October 2014, who had provided about 40% of all services in the Darwin region since Buslink commenced operation during the 1980s. [6] In December 2013, it was announced that Darwin Bus Service services would be privatised. [7] [8] In July 2014, Transit Systems (owner of Territory Transit) was announced as the successful tenderer. [9] [10] [11] In October 2014, Territory Transit took over the former Darwin Bus Service bus operation. [12] [13]

In May 2022, CDC Northern Territory was announced as the successful bidder after a competitive tender process. [14] [15] While both incumbents placed bids for the tender, Australian Transit Group also placed a bid during the tender process. [16]

Fleet

As of December 2013, the Buslink fleet consisted of 164 buses based out of depots in Berrimah and Humpty Doo, [17] and the then Darwin Bus Service fleet based in Stuart Park consisted of 36 buses. [18]

After assuming control of the former Darwin Bus Service depot and its fleet at Stuart Park in 2014, Territory Transit began replacement of many older buses in the fleet. A total of 17 Mercedes-Benz OC500LE rigid buses with Custom Coaches bodywork were added between 2015 and 2020, with the size of the fleet reducing slightly to 34 buses. While these additions largely displaced older rigid buses produced by MAN and Volvo, three of four Scania L94UA articulated buses were ultimately replaced. A further two buses (which included the last articulated bus) were withdrawn without replacement prior to CDC Northern Territory taking control of the Stuart Park Depot in 2022. A pair of Mercedes-Benz OH1830LE buses, which had previously been used by Buslink-Vivo, were also based at Stuart Park depot but were mostly utilised for charter work. [19] [20]

CDC Northern Territory's depots at Berrimah and Humpty Doo had a combined total of 158 buses as of February 2022, [21] although the vast majority of these buses are not utilised for public bus services, instead performing charter, school bus and special needs transport duties. While a total of 47 buses are painted in the Darwinbus livery of black, white and ochre, 6 of those buses were utilised exclusively as school buses. Since commencement of the new contract, some of these buses have been returned to urban service at the Stuart Park depot.

As of December 2022, CDC Northern Territory now operates 192 buses in the Greater Darwin area, and an additional 16 in Alice Springs. The increase in Darwin is largely attributable to inheriting the former Territory Transit fleet at Stuart Park, with the combined urban fleets totalling 79 buses. All Darwinbus services are now exclusively operated by Mercedes-Benz OC500LE buses with a mix of Volgren and Custom Coaches bodywork. [22]

CDC Northern Territory has announced plans to introduce nine Volvo Hybrid Buses to the fleet during the present six-year contract, although a timeframe for their introduction has not yet been made public. [23]

Routes

A total of 39 public bus routes are operated by Darwinbus, with the majority operating 7-days per week, excepting Christmas Day and Good Friday. A variety of services are provided, including all-stops and semi-express routes between the three interchanges at Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston, in addition to feeder or shopper style services which predominantly run in a uni-directional circuit. During Mindil Beach Market Season (last Thursday in April to last Thursday in October), additional bus services run, and some late-night outbound bus services are extended to commence from Mindil Beach to facilitate access to the markets. For other significant events in Darwin, such as New Year's Eve, Darwin Show Day or Bass in the Grass, additional special event buses run.

Timetables and maps are available separately online from the NT Government Website. Service announcements are publicised on the CDC Northern Territory and NT DIPL Facebook pages, in addition to separate pages on the NT Government Website: Public Bus Alerts & Route Changes, and, Proposed Bus Changes.

All bus services inbound to Darwin Interchange utilise Mitchell Street, whereas outbound services travel via Cavenagh Street.

RouteTypeOriginDestinationAreas Serviced/Notes
OL1Circular Peak ExpressDarwinDarwinOperates Monday to Friday peak periods only

Clockwise semi-express service, Darwin - Casuarina - Palmerston - Darwin

OL2Circular Peak ExpressDarwinDarwinOperates Monday to Friday peak periods only

Anti-clockwise semi-express service, Darwin - Palmerston - Casuarina - Darwin

1CircularCasuarinaCasuarinaHospital Precinct, Tiwi, Brinkin, Nakara
1hCircular/Semi-ExpressCasuarinaCasuarinaOperates Monday to Friday only

Express to Hospital Precinct, return via Tiwi

2CircularCasuarinaCasuarinaWanguri, Leanyer, Wulagi, Wagaman
3CircularCasuarinaCasuarinaJingili, Moil, Anula, Wulagi, Wagaman
4Line HaulDarwinCasuarinaDarwin CBD, Mindil Beach, Parap, Ludmilla, Coconut Grove, Nightcliff, Rapid Creek, Charles Darwin University (Casuarina), Casuarina
5Line HaulDarwinCasuarinaOperates Monday to Friday only

Darwin CBD, Stuart Park, The Narrows, Winnellie, Berrimah, Karama, Malak, Jingili, Moil

6CircularDarwinDarwinOperates Monday to Friday only

Darwin CBD, Museum & Art Gallery NT, Fannie Bay, Parap, Stuart Park

7CircularDarwinDarwinOperates Monday to Friday only

Darwin CBD, Stuart Park, Bayview

8Line HaulDarwinPalmerstonDarwin CBD, Stuart Highway (Stuart Park, The Narrows, Winnellie, Berrimah, Pinelands)
9Line HaulCasuarinaPalmerstonVanderlin Drive (Leanyer, Malak), Karama, Berrimah, Pinelands
10Line HaulDarwinCasuarinaDarwin CBD, Stuart Highway (Stuart Park, The Narrows), Bagot Road (Ludmilla, Rapid Creek), Trower Road (Alawa, Casuarina Square Shopping Centre)
11CircularCasuarinaCasuarinaOperates Monday to Friday only

Trower Road (Wagaman, Rapid Creek, Nightcliff), Millner, Alawa

12CircularCasuarinaCasuarinaMalak, Karama
15Special EventDarwinDarwinVia Mindil Beach Market, during Mindil Beach Market season only
19Special EventMindil Beach MarketCasuarinaObserves route 4 from Mindil Beach, operating during Mindil Beach Market Season only
21Peak ExpressDarwinHospital PrecinctOperates in the peak direction only

AM: Pickup only Hospital Precinct to Casuarina Interchange via Tiwi, Express to Stuart Highway/Woolner Road (Stuart Park), then set-down only to Darwin Interchange via Stuart Highway and Mitchell St PM: Pickup only Darwin Interchange to Stuart Highway/Woolner Road via Cavenagh Street and Stuart Highway, Express to Casuarina, then set-down only to Darwin Hospital Precinct via Tiwi

22Peak ExpressDarwinLeanyerOperates in the peak direction only

AM: Pickup only from Leanyer Drive/Vanderlin Drive to Airport Hotel/McMillans Road via Leanyer Drive, V.R.D Drive and Lee Point Road, then Express to Stuart Highway/Woolner Road, set-down only to Darwin Interchange via Stuart Highway and Mitchell Street PM: Pickup only from Darwin Interchange to Stuart Highway/Woolner Road via Cavenagh Street and Stuart Highway, Express to Airport Hotel/McMillans Road, set-down only to Leanyer Drive/Vanderlin Drive via Lee Point Road, V.R.D. Drive and Leanyer Drive

24CircularCasuarinaCasuarinaWanguri, Lyons, Muirhead
25Peak ExpressDarwinCasuarinaOperates in the peak direction only, with AM and PM routes being substantially different

AM: Pickup only from Moray Street, Karama to McMillans Road/Airport Hotel, express to Stuart Highway/Berrimah Road, then set-down only to Darwin Interchange via Stuart Highway and Mitchell Street PM: Pickup only from Darwin Interchange to Stuart Highway/Woolner Road via Cavenagh Street and Stuart Highway, express to Moray Street, Karama, then set-down only to Casuarina Interchange. AM route is observed until McMillans Road, then via Lee Point Road, Vanderlin Drive and Trower Road.

28Peak ExpressDarwinHumpty DooOperates in the peak direction only.

Some Palmerston circular services and rural routes connect with the 28 at Palmerston Only services Humpty Doo Park and Ride, Coolalinga Park and Ride, Palmerston Interchange and normal Darwin CBD stops before terminating at Darwin Interchange.

70CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonDriver, Moulden
71CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonWoodroffe, Gray
72CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonGunn, Bakewell, Roseberry
73CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonDriver, Durack, Charles Darwin University Durack Campus
74Lacial [24] PalmerstonPalmerstonFarrar, Johnston, Zuccoli. Operates a return service via Temple Terrace, Farrar Boulevard / Zuccoli Parade
76Circular/Semi-ExpressPalmerstonPalmerstonPeak-only service operating every 30mins

Connects with OL1 & OL2 at Palmerston: Departs 3-5mins after their arrival, and returns about 3mins prior to departure Clockwise circular service with limited stops, via Bakewell, Roseberry, Bellamack, Moulden and Driver. Runs express Palmerston - Bakewell and Driver to Palmerston.

77CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonPalmerston Indigenous Village, Roseberry and Bellamack
78CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonWeekday only service via Kokoda Industries Yarrawonga
87CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonDurack Heights and Durack
88CircularPalmerstonPalmerstonDirect service to Palmerston Regional Hospital only
440Rural CircularHumpty DooHumpty DooOperates Monday to Saturday only

Operates as "hail and ride" in the rural area Combines parts of 445 & 446, while linking Humpty Doo, Coolalinga and Palmerston.

445RuralPalmerstonHumpty DooOperates Monday to Saturday only

Operates as "hail and ride" in the rural area Via Stuart Highway to Cox Peninsula Road 'Interchange', then return to Humpty Doo Park and Ride via Elizabeth Valley Road, and Redcliffe/Freds Pass Roads

446RuralPalmerstonBees CreekOperates Monday to Saturday only

Operates as "hail and ride" in the rural area Virginia and Bees Creek, terminating at Gulnare Road/Stuart Highway

447RuralPalmerstonHumpty DooOperates Monday to Saturday only

Operates as "hail and ride" in the rural area Howard Springs, McMinns Lagoon, Humpty Doo. Terminates Humpty Doo Park and Ride

450RuralPalmerstonHumpty DooOperates Monday to Saturday only

Operates as "hail and ride" in the rural area Howard Springs, McMinns Lagoon, Girrawheen, Humpty Doo. Terminates Humpty Doo Park and Ride

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References

  1. 1 2 "Darwin Bus Service". Bus Australia. 2 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  2. ↑ "ComfortDelGro Australia Group Wins Bid To Operate Bus Services In Darwin". CDC Northern Territory. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "DIPL Annual Report 2018-19" (PDF). Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics . 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Update on Australian transport trends (December 2019)". Charting Transport. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Public Transport". Northern Territory Government. Northern Territory Transport Group. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  6. ↑ NT Government to privatise Darwin buses NT News 6 December 2013
  7. ↑ Darwin bus service to be sold off ABC News 6 December 2013
  8. ↑ New Providers for Darwin Bus Service Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Department of Transport 6 July 2014
  9. ↑ Move to NT Australasian Bus & Coach 7 July 2014
  10. ↑ Transit Systems secures Darwin Urban Bus Services contract - 8 July 2014 Archived 6 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transit Systems website Retrieved 6 November 2014
  11. ↑ Transit Systems welcomed to the Top End Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine , Retrieved 2 October 2014
  12. ↑ Territory Transit Home Page Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine , Retrieved 11 October 2014
  13. ↑ "CDC Commences Services Under New Darwin Contract". CDC Northern Territory. 1 July 2022.
  14. ↑ "Darwin Bus Services Contract Update". Australian Securities Exchange. Kelsian. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "Quotations and Tenders Online | Tender Details". tendersonline.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  16. ↑ "Australian Bus Fleet Lists - Northern Territory Operator Fleet Lists". 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  17. ↑ Darwin Bus Service Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  18. ↑ "Australian Bus Fleet Lists - Northern Territory Operator Fleet Lists". 1 December 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  19. ↑ "NT — Transit Systems | Bus Network Public Transport Operator | NSW | SA | WA | NT | UK | Singapore". 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  20. ↑ "Australian Bus Fleet Lists - Northern Territory Operator Fleet Lists". 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "Australian Bus Fleet Lists - Northern Territory Operator Fleet Lists". fleetlists.busaustralia.com. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  22. ↑ admin (1 July 2022). "CDC Commences Services Under New Darwin Contract". CDC Northern Territory. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  23. ↑ "Route Types: Geometry". Alternative Transport. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2022.

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