Students in West Dapto will experience extended bus journeys for the next year due to a significant road closure. Beginning on July 29, 2024, the stretch of West Dapto Road between Shone Avenue and Yard Street will be closed for upgrades, which include new road surfacing and the construction of a pedestrian bridge.
The Wollongong City Council is undertaking these improvements to enhance safety and accessibility in the area. During this closure, six school bus routes operated by Premier Illawarra and three regular transport routes will be affected, resulting in changes for several local schools.
Transport for NSW has indicated that seven schools will see alterations to their bus services, impacting both morning and afternoon schedules. The schools involved are St Joseph’s Catholic High at Albion Park, Albion Park High School, Dapto Public School, Dapto High School, Cedars Christian College, and Illawarra Christian School at Cordeaux Heights.
Many students may face earlier departure times and later arrivals home, with journey durations potentially increasing by up to 22 minutes. The closure includes a bus stop at Rainbird Avenue, which will no longer be operational. Students who previously used this stop will need to switch to new stops on Darkes Road.
To accommodate the changes, two existing bus stops on Bong Bong Road will be temporarily removed. In their place, four new bus stops will be established on Fairwater Drive, Lucas Drive, and Horsley Drive, allowing buses to operate in both directions.
The three regular route services affected are Route 30 (Kembla Grange to Dapto via Wongawilli), Route 31 (Horsley to Wollongong via Unanderra), and Route 32 (Brooks Reach to Dapto). A new Route 38 will also be introduced. Residents in areas such as Horsley, Wongawilli, Stream Hill, and Brooks Reach will need to adjust their travel plans, as they may have to use different bus numbers than they’re accustomed to. Some passengers might find their trips longer and may need to change buses mid-journey.
Cassandra Ffrench, Regional Director South for Transport for NSW, acknowledged the inconvenience these changes could cause for students. “We have worked closely with our local bus operator, Premier Illawarra, to ensure services continue as smoothly as possible. We are proud to have implemented practical solutions, including new bus stops and re-routed services to maintain connections for students and local residents,” Ffrench stated.
To aid the community in adapting to these changes, Transport for NSW encourages students and residents to familiarize themselves with the updated bus schedules. They have released various communication materials, including posters at bus stops and information provided directly to schools, to ensure everyone is informed about the new services starting on July 29.
For additional assistance, community members can use the Trip Planner tool at transportnsw.info/trip to plan their journeys effectively during this transition.
