THE state government has announced seven additional bus routes to help carry commuters between Chatswood and Epping when the rail line closes late next year.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance was at Epping Station this morning to announce improvements to the Temporary Transport Plan — the strategy for seven months of additional bus services while the line is upgraded for Sydney Metro trains.

These trains will be driverless, faster, and carry commuters along the new Sydney Metro Northwest line when it opens in 2019.

Mr Constance said the government has signed a deal with a consortium including Transdev and Hillsbus to provide 125 new buses which will provide thousands of additional services during the seven months.

The seven additional bus routes include Epping to Chatswood express and all stops services, Beecroft to St Leonards, St Leonards to Macquarie University Station, Eastwood to Macquarie Park, Epping to Macquarie Park, and an Epping to Macquarie University Campus route to cater to students.

media_camera Rail replacement bus routes for closure of Chatswood to Epping rail link

Not all routes will operate in both directions throughout the day.

The additional services will carry commuters to impacted stations at least every six minutes at peak times, and every 10 minutes during off-peak times.

There will be more than 30 buses in the morning peak hour from Epping to Macquarie Park, and Chatswood.

Transport officials expect 14,000 commuters will use the buses each weekday.

Transport for NSW CBD co-ordinator general Marg Prendergast said commuters could expect an additional 10 minutes travel time between Epping and the city during this period.

media_camera Beecroft Rd, next to Epping Station, is expected to be flooded with buses

The additional buses are likely to worsen traffic congestion around Sydney’s north, but Mr Constance urged people to see the final goal.

“Please bear with us. At the end of this project and end of this process you are going to see a transformation in terms of transport services to your community,” he said.

“A Metro train is an incredible investment and incredible change for your community.

“We’ve just got to get through this disruptive period.”

The government is yet to indicate the likely dates of the rail closure.

Optus, a major employer at Macquarie Park, and the Ryde Business Forum lobby group have called on the government to determine the dates.

The businesses want to better plan for possible disruption to their operations.

Mr Constance was unable to provide that today.

“We will as we get closer to the time indicate the exact time trains will be turned off, and the services,” he said.

“But it will be in the second half of next year.”