Free shuttle buses will connect Western Sydney International Airport at Luddenham to a St Marys transport hub when it opens to flights later this year.
The NSW Government says the free but temporary service will be up and running in time for the first flight.
The service will run until the new Sydney Metro airport rail link opens in 2027.
The buses are expected to run every 30 minutes from 4.30am to midnight Sundays to Thursdays, and from 4.30am to 1am Fridays and Saturdays and take 30 minutes in normal traffic.
The service is expected to run in conjunction with other new bus services linking the airport to Penrith, Leppington, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Mount Druitt.
The new 23-kilometre Metro line is expected to ferry up to 7740 passengers every hour in each direction.
Airport passengers on the new six-stop line can join direct trains at a St Marys bus and rail interchange on the T1 Western Line that run directs to Blacktown, Parramatta, Strathfield and Central stations; the other stops are at Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, the airport and Bradfield.
Track laying on the line is now 70% complete and station construction reaching key milestones, the government says.
A toll-free M12 motorway linking the airport to the Sydney motorway network is due to open before flights land at the airport.
MPs SAY ON BUSES
Transport Minister John Graham: “it is important to have connectivity to our public transport network from the moment the first bit of airline rubber hits the tarmac.
“While the free, interim buses phase out when the Metro opens, new bus services between the airport and Penrith, Oran Park, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Mount Druitt and Leppington will be a permanent upgrade for public transport.”
Western Sydney airport CEO Simon Hickey points out that the airport will operate 24-7 and the bus and rail services will “complement the toll-free M12, ride share, taxis, tour buses and other private transfer services”.
MP for Leppington Nathan Hagarty says the news means “a direct, reliable connection to (the) airport and key centres like Leppington, Liverpool and Campbelltown”.
“As Leppington grows, it’s critical that our public transport grows with it,” he says.
MP for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda says the government’s $302.7 million New Bus Services for Western Sydney project will ensure Liverpool residents are quick to benefit from the free service.
The MPs for Penrith, Karen McKeown, and Mt Druitt, Edmond Attalla, also welcomed the news.
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