A free, hourly, community bus service, providing residents with convenient access to shopping centres and other services throughout the City of Ryde will commence on Tuesday 22 July.
The Top Ryder will connect Ryde Town Centre with shopping centres at Gladesville and West Ryde via Meadowbank Station.
An initiative of Ryde Council and sponsored by the owners of Top Ryde City, the distinctively branded 23-seater buses have been specially modified for the elderly and wheelchair users, and will operate 6 days a week, Monday-Saturday, during off-peak hours.
Hailing the Top Ryder as a straightforward response to issues faced by many in the community, the Mayor, Clr Ivan Petch said: “This service is designed to assist residents to access alternative shopping centres during the redevelopment of Top Ryde City, the focal point of our Town Centre’s revitalisation.
“Council officers have consulted extensively with community groups and local retirement centres to map out a route that will target those residents most in need of this service.
“The Top Ryder is also a step towards encouraging the community as a whole to leaving their cars at home for local trips,” he said.
Development Director for the Beville Group, Mitchell Corn said: “The Beville Group are proud sponsors of this initiative which highlights how well the City of Ryde and Beville Group continue to work together to benefit the community at large. We encourage the residents of Ryde to utilise this service for their essentials until we can deliver to them their new shopping destination, “Top Ryde City”.
Using the Top Ryder:
- Monday – Saturday 9.30am to 3.00pm.
- Wheelchair bookings 1300 850 820 (must book day before travel).
- Map and timetable available from Customer Service 9952 8222, Ryde Libraries, Bovis Lend Lease site office Pope Street, community organisations or go to www.ryde.nsw.gov.au or www.toprydecity.com.au
- Maximum load: 23 seated passengers or 2 wheelchairs and 18 seated passengers.
- Signal the Driver at any designated Top Ryder or STA bus stop along the route.
- Two buses run the same route in opposite directions in a figure 8 loop. Route1(orange) Meadowbank Station to West Ryde via Gladesville & Top Ryde City (at Pope St.) Route 2 (blue) Top Ryde City (at Pope St) to West Ryde via Gladesville and Meadowbank.
- Each bus completes the circuit once per hour.
- Buses cannot accommodate motorised scooters or large shopping trolleys. You can only bring shopping onto the bus that you can carry yourself. For large grocery shopping, you should arrange for home delivery through the supermarket.
For full route and timetable details, see the timetable brochure. Copies will be available from City of Ryde Customer Service and Libraries, various community organisations Bovis Lend Lease site office, or go to www.ryde.nsw.gov.au or www.toprydecity.com.au
Media contact: Lee Kirkland 9952 8083
