Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian and Member for Smithfield Andrew Rohan today visited the recently completed Fairfield bus interchange to announce more than 200 extra bus services are starting next week in Western Sydney.

The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is investing in extra public transport services right across the state, and since March 2011 has introduced more than 9,000 extra train, bus and ferry services.

Ms Berejiklian said the latest bus services would benefit customers in suburbs including Liverpool, Elizabeth Hills, Edensor Park, South Wentworthville, Cecil Hills, Parramatta, Pemulwuy, Cabramatta, Bonnyrigg, Greystanes and Marys Hill.

“The NSW Government is getting on with the job of delivering the modern and reliable public transport system the people of Western Sydney deserve,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“These extra 200 bus services will cater for residents moving into the new Elizabeth Hills growth area, provide new services for customers travelling to Liverpool, and provide additional frequency on existing routes on the weekend and into the evening.

“Customers are also benefitting from the rollout of electronic ticketing, and I am pleased customers are now able to use their Opal card to catch these new bus services in Western Sydney, with Opal now available on more than 3,200 buses, as well as all suburban and intercity trains and Sydney Ferries.”

Bus customers in the area are encouraged to visit the transportnsw.info website and find out more about the new services as well as some changes to existing bus routes.

Mr Rohan welcomed the additional services and said after years of neglect from Labor, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government was making huge improvements to public transport for the Smithfield community.

“These new services are great news for the local community and will improve service frequency and connections with other public transport services,” he said.

“Today I was also pleased to join the Minister and inspect the recently completed $12 million bus interchange upgrade at Fairfield which includes new bus shelters, new paving, landscaping, street furniture and new pedestrian crossings.

“As well as providing extra services where and when they’re needed, we’re upgrading crucial transport infrastructure in Western Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s $770 million Transport Access Program.

“Work is also underway on a new multi-storey car park at Canley Vale, which will provide more than 120 commuter parking spaces within a short walk of Canley Vale Station,” Mr Rohan said.

“The NSW Government is busy upgrading Strathfield Station, Ingleburn Station, Auburn bus interchange and delivering new parking at Glenbrook, Mount Druitt and Kingswood as part of the Transport Access Program.”