Sydney’s public transport network is set for another major shake-up next month, with one of the city’s most requested bus routes officially making a return. From June 21, route 52 will once again provide a direct connection between Parramatta, Ryde and the Sydney CBD, restoring a service that many commuters have been calling to bring back since it was removed in 2021. The revived route will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to significantly cut travel times for passengers travelling along the busy Victoria Road corridor. Here’s what to know about the returning service and the wider changes being rolled out alongside it.
Bus Route 52 set to return
The new route 52 will run with limited stops between Parramatta and the CBD, following Victoria Road and replacing both the current 500X and 500N services. According to the NSW Government, buses will arrive every 10 minutes during the day, every 20 minutes in the early morning and late evening, and every 30 minutes overnight. To cater for demand along the corridor, the route will also be serviced by high-capacity bendy buses, with 13 of the new articulated vehicles allocated to the line. Officials say the changes are designed to improve reliability and reduce the need for transfers, particularly for commuters travelling between Parramatta, Ryde and the city.
“The new route 52 will save travel time and run more often, with a 24/7 service that will run every ten minutes during the day and every 30 minutes through the night,” Transport Minister John Graham said.
The return of route 52 will also trigger a number of wider service changes across Sydney’s west and inner west. Routes 521, 523, 524, 525 and 546 are all set to receive additional services and reliability upgrades, while route 525 will be adjusted to run between Parramatta, Newington and Lidcombe Station, improving access to shopping and rail connections in the area. Elsewhere, route 501 will be shortened to operate between West Ryde and Central Station, with the returning 52 taking over services between Parramatta and West Ryde. The existing 552 route will also be withdrawn once the changes come into effect.
Find more information about the return of bus route 52 here.
