Commuters on Sydney’s northern beaches and lower north shore are experiencing significant disruptions in public transport, with reports of lengthy waits and service cancellations.

Many passengers, including schoolchildren, have cited instances of waiting up to 40 minutes at bus stops, with some queues reportedly stretching 700 metres.

The situation is exacerbated by a severe driver shortage and the withdrawal of bendy buses from service due to safety concerns.

Approximately 83 articulated buses, which have been out of operation since October due to chassis issues, primarily serve routes in the northern beaches and lower north shore areas.

This has led to a considerable reduction in bus capacity on the affected routes.

Residents have expressed frustration, with reports indicating that local bus services are often overcrowded, resulting in full buses passing by stops without picking up additional passengers.

Individuals such as Amanda Smythe, a mother from Cammeray, have altered their commuting routines.

After experiencing delays, Smythe has resorted to driving her daughter to school instead of relying on the bus system.

Several commuters raised concerns about the inadequacy of the current bus schedules and service availability, calling for dedicated school bus services to address the needs of students in the area.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has indicated that the situation is critical, with the Mona Vale bus depot cancelling approximately 90 services on weekdays, alongside daily cancellations of around 40 services from Brookvale and 50 from North Sydney.

RTBU divisional president Peter Grech highlighted operational inefficiencies, indicating that private operators have been forced to manage an unmanageable schedule given the insufficient number of functioning buses.

Reports of extensive queues at central stops during peak hours, particularly in locations such as Dee Why, Manly Vale, and Lane Cove, have been common, leading to frustration among passengers, many of whom have faced disrespectful interactions with drivers trying to enforce passenger limits due to overcrowding.

The two primary operators, Busways and Keolis Downer, have come under scrutiny for their performance.

The latest figures from Transport for NSW suggest that these operators have among the worst reliability records.

Drivers employed by Busways have also expressed dissatisfaction with a new two-tier roster system, which they claim creates wage disparities between longtime and newly hired employees.

Transport for NSW acknowledged the ongoing difficulties faced by commuters and attributed them to the limited availability of bendy buses and an ongoing driver shortage.

The agency has outlined a rectification plan with the manufacturer for the affected buses and emphasized its commitment to fast-track the introduction of new vehicles, including electric buses.

The recalled articulated buses were manufactured between 2005 and 2006, and their absence has forced operators to deploy standard buses, which accommodate fewer passengers compared to their bendy counterparts.

Both Busways and Keolis Downer have apologized for the disruptions and are coordinating with Transport for NSW to enhance fleet availability and service reliability.