Sydney to receive its first purpose-built electric bus depot

The NSW Government has awarded the contract for construction of an electric bus depot at Macquarie Park, in Sydney’s northwest.

Sydney’s first depot to be specifically built for electric buses, the new facility is part of the Minns government’s plan for a phased transition from the city’s 8000-strong diesel and gas fleet over the next two decades.

Construction of the $145 million depot, funded 50:50 by the NSW and federal governments, is expected to begin early in 2026, in order for the facility to be operational in 2028.

“Building a new bus depot in such a centrally located part of Sydney is a rare occurrence and an important milestone in this massive transition to cleaner and quieter buses powered by renewable energy,” Minister for Transport John Graham said.

“Passengers can look forward to a smoother ride as we phase out the oldest diesel buses first.”

Artist’s impression of the Macquarie Park Bus Depot (subject to change). Image courtesy of Transport for NSW.

Subject to final design, the Macquarie Park depot, located alongside the M2 on Talavera Road, will operate about 150 buses, servicing areas from the northwest suburbs to Ryde, Parramatta and the lower north shore. Each electric bus can travel up to 300 kilometres on a single charge.

The Macquarie Park depot will employ 160 staff, including drivers, maintenance workers and administration personnel. It will support the existing Ryde and Willoughby bus depots, which were opened in 1953 and 1958 respectively.

While the Macquarie Park depot will be Sydney’s first to be purpose-built for an electric fleet, some of the city’s other depots are already being retrofitted. In September, Brookvale became the first of Sydney’s 11 bus depots to be fitted out for electric vehicles, with the installation of a gantry-mounted fast-charging station: Australia’s first, according to the government.

Leichhardt and Kingsgrove are expected to have electric bus charging technology installed in 2026.

The NSW Government’s Zero Emissions Bus Program aims to deliver more than 1200 new electric buses by 2028, with up to 300 hitting the road in coming months.

Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd has been awarded the design and construct contract to build the purpose-built depot, which will feature both standard (75 kW) and fast (150 kW) plug-in chargers to suit operational requirements.

“Our neighbourhoods are changing, so it’s fantastic to see new public transport infrastructure being delivered to support it,” said City of Ryde councillor Lyndal Howison.

“Zero emissions buses are different, they are clean and quiet, so this depot will be a real community asset not only today but into the future.”

Top image caption: Artist’s impression of the Macquarie Park Bus Depot (subject to change). Image courtesy of Transport for NSW.