Darwinbus

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]

Territory Transit Custom Coaches CB80 bodied Mercedes-Benz O500LE in June 2016
ParentNorthern Territory Government
Founded1978
HeadquartersBerrimah
Service areaDarwin, Casuarina, Palmerston and Rural Areas
Service typePublic Transport
Routes39
HubsDarwin CBD, Casuarina, Palmerston
Depots3
Fleet79
OperatorCDC Northern Territory
Websitewww.transport.nt.gov.au/public/bus/darwin

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 O500LE rigid buses with Custom Coaches CB80 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 O500LE buses with a mix of Volgren "CR228L" and Custom Coaches "CB80" 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.

Route Type Origin Destination Areas Serviced/Notes
OL1 Circular Peak Express Darwin Darwin Operates Monday to Friday peak periods only

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

OL2 Circular Peak Express Darwin Darwin Operates Monday to Friday peak periods only

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

1 Circular Casuarina Casuarina Hospital Precinct, Tiwi, Brinkin, Nakara
1h Circular/Semi-Express Casuarina Casuarina Operates Monday to Friday only

Express to Hospital Precinct, return via Tiwi

2 Circular Casuarina Casuarina Wanguri, Leanyer, Wulagi, Wagaman
3 Circular Casuarina Casuarina Jingili, Moil, Anula, Wulagi, Wagaman
4 Line Haul Darwin Casuarina Darwin CBD, Mindil Beach, Parap, Ludmilla, Coconut Grove, Nightcliff, Rapid Creek, Charles Darwin University (Casuarina), Casuarina
5 Line Haul Darwin Casuarina Operates Monday to Friday only

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

6 Circular Darwin Darwin Operates Monday to Friday only

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

7 Circular Darwin Darwin Operates Monday to Friday only

Darwin CBD, Stuart Park, Bayview

8 Line Haul Darwin Palmerston Darwin CBD, Stuart Highway (Stuart Park, The Narrows, Winnellie, Berrimah, Pinelands)
9 Line Haul Casuarina Palmerston Vanderlin Drive (Leanyer, Malak), Karama, Berrimah, Pinelands
10 Line Haul Darwin Casuarina Darwin CBD, Stuart Highway (Stuart Park, The Narrows), Bagot Road (Ludmilla, Rapid Creek), Trower Road (Alawa, Casuarina Square Shopping Centre)
11 Circular Casuarina Casuarina Operates Monday to Friday only

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

12 Circular Casuarina Casuarina Malak, Karama
15 Special Event Darwin Darwin Via Mindil Beach Market, during Mindil Beach Market season only
19 Special Event Mindil Beach Market Casuarina Observes route 4 from Mindil Beach, operating during Mindil Beach Market Season only
21 Peak Express Darwin Hospital Precinct Operates 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

22 Peak Express Darwin Leanyer Operates 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

24 Circular Casuarina Casuarina Wanguri, Lyons, Muirhead
25 Peak Express Darwin Casuarina Operates 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.

28 Peak Express Darwin Humpty Doo Operates 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.

70 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Driver, Moulden
71 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Woodroffe, Gray
72 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Gunn, Bakewell, Roseberry
73 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Driver, Durack, Charles Darwin University Durack Campus
74 Lacial[24] Palmerston Palmerston Farrar, Johnston, Zuccoli. Operates a return service via Temple Terrace, Farrar Boulevard / Zuccoli Parade
76 Circular/Semi-Express Palmerston Palmerston Peak-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.

77 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Palmerston Indigenous Village, Roseberry and Bellamack
78 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Weekday only service via Kokoda Industries Yarrawonga
87 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Durack Heights and Durack
88 Circular Palmerston Palmerston Direct service to Palmerston Regional Hospital only
440 Rural Circular Humpty Doo Humpty Doo Operates 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.

445 Rural Palmerston Humpty Doo Operates 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

446 Rural Palmerston Bees Creek Operates Monday to Saturday only

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

447 Rural Palmerston Humpty Doo Operates 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

450 Rural Palmerston Humpty Doo Operates 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

References
  1. "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 and 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 Bus News 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, 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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