A New On-Demand Bus Service Is Now Driving Around Sydney
The service — which is currently operating in the west and eastern suburbs — works similarly to UberPool.
Sydneysiders have another option for getting around the eastern suburbs and inner west, with an on-demand bus service now driving around town.
Bridj hit the streets in Sydney's west in June and a trial launched in the eastern suburbs in August. In the west, it currently operates in Canada Bay, Concord, Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Mortlake and Rhodes between 6am–11.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am–8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. A trial fleet of buses to is servicing Rose Bay, Dover Heights, North Bondi and Bondi Beach, between 6am–9am and 3pm-9pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am–8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The areas and routes included are designed to cover gaps between existing transport hubs in the eastern suburbs, predominately functioning to transport passengers to and from the Rose Bay ferry during peak hours.
Bridj works a little bit like Uber, combining both fixed route and on-demand transit. To book a trip, jump on the smartphone app — which you can download for free for IOS and Android — input your destination and when you want to go, and a booking confirmation will be sent through with a nearby pick-up spot and estimated drop-off time.
The Bridj microbuses travel different routes depending on where passengers are headed, and like an Uber, can be tracked in real-time via the app. The technology even looks at things like congestion to work out the shortest possible routes and best pick-up spots.
Fares will cost $3.10, and concession card holders pay just $1.50 at the moment. You can pay either via credit card through the app, with cash on board or with your Opal card. And don't forget to thank the bus driver.
There are plans to incorporate another 27 of the buses across Sydney in the coming years, as Bridj continues to analyse customer needs and evolve its offering to suit. There's no word yet on how long the trial will run for, but we'll update as soon as we have more info.
The Bridj service is now running in Sydney's west and inner east. To learn more about it, head to the Bridj or Transport NSW websites.
- Twenty-Five Movies That You Can Stream This Christmas No Matter How You Feel About the Festive Season
- The Best Waterfalls Near Sydney You Can Swim Under
- The Best Coastal Walks in Sydney to Try This Summer
- The Most Beautiful Coastal Stays You Can Book in Noosa
- The 50 Best Bars in Sydney Right Now — Ranked
- Ten of the Most Blissful Waterfront Stays You Can Book in East Gippsland