IT’S the same time it takes to watch a complete instalment of Star Wars, catch a flight to Hobart or run a marathon.

But for residents of the northern beaches two hours and five minutes is how long it takes for their bus to meander into the city every morning, making the agonising trip the longest commute in Sydney.

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The L90 service — affectionately known as the “Hell 90’’ by passengers — leaves Palm Beach shops at 7.22am and isn’t scheduled to arrive at Railway Square until 9.27am.

And that’s only if the bus hasn’t been held up by bad weather or a traffic snarl somewhere along the 44km trip.

Working mum Emma Lane said the road infrastructure needed to be improved to ease congestion and speed up the trip — especially through the notoriously bad Spit and Military roads.

The Elanora Heights resident pointed out that the route passed through the electorates of both Prime Minister Tony Abbott (Warringah) and Premier Mike Baird (Manly), who she believes need to step up and reduce travel times.

“I would love for either of them to do this trip,’’ Ms Lane said.

“If they commuted every day like the rest of us it would be a lot different.’’

The offices of Mr Abbott and Mr Baird declined to comment on whether the two would be prepared take a ride on the L90 when asked by the Daily Telegraph.

media_camera Mona Vale Junction, 8am: Passengers keep themselves occupied as the journey creeps onward. Picture: Martin Lange

media_camera Dee Why, 8.23am: Some of these passengers may have to stand for more than an hour. Picture: Martin Lange

media_camera Central Station, 9.27am: The marathon is over. Picture: Martin Lange

It could be their loss with the $4.70 journey boasting spectacular views across the northern beaches and ample time for a chat about issues with their constituents.

Not that you would find many commuters marvelling the landscape outside the bus windows — they’ve seen it before.

Instead, most are consumed by their mobile phones, iPads and laptops, which are “must have’’ boredom-busting accessories for the ride to school or work.

Snacks, water and a fully charged battery are also on the essentials list — especially for those planning a return trip.

And if you get on after Dee Why, you might even need to endure some physically training — with many left with no other option to stand for the final hour of the trip.

media_camera The long and winding road that leads ... from Palm Beach to Central.

Newport mum Rachel Wiley and her daughter Jessica Smith packed sandwiches for their journey into the city for the day.

“It surprises me that it’s the longest bus trip,’’ Ms Wiley said.

“It would be bad if you did it every day but we don’t do it all the time so it doesn't bother us.’’

Travel times for the notoriously slow trip have not improved by one minute since this reporter took the same trip for the Manly Daily five years ago.

Unfortunately it’s one of the few options for those on the northern beaches to travel into the city — with no train service and taxi cabs scarce at the top end of the peninsula.

It means passengers on the bus are often a mix of rowdy school students and high-flying executives needing to get into town.

media_camera Lachlan Bain usually listens to music or draws. Picture: Martin Lange

University student Lachlan Bain is one of the first to get on at Avalon and the last to get off.

He endures the trip — about two hours each way from his stop — several times a week.

“I usually listen to music or draw,’’ he said. “It’s a bit hard to concentrate on a book or computer.

“It’s all right if you like a bit of peace and quiet.’’

The L90 is so well known by locals that it even has a cafe named in its honour — L90 Espresso in Narrabeen.

Owner Faye Bteddini said the cafe even had a special L90 breakfast for their customers.

“Around here people don’t say ‘let’s jump on the bus’ they say ‘let’s jump on the L90’,’’ she said.