Gone are the days of pacing at the front gate, peering down a dusty road wondering where the school bus has got to.

Parents across the Western Plains, from Coonamble to Walgett and everywhere in between can now track their child’s school bus in real-time, thanks to a major technological leap in NSW’s regional transport system.

The Transport Connected Bus (TCB) Program, now fully rolled out, has fitted all 3,010 contracted buses operating in rural and regional NSW with real-time GPS tracking and automatic passenger counting technology.

This includes buses servicing the Western Plains, where travelers often face long distances and unpredictable conditions.

The upgrade allows passengers to see exactly where their bus is, when it will arrive, and how full it is, all from their smartphone.

Passengers can now:

• Track their bus in real-time using apps like Opal Travel or the Transport for NSW Trip Planner

• Access interactive maps, timetables, and live service updates

• View how full their bus is before it arrives

• Plan smoother journeys with more accurate arrival and capacity information

The system brings rural and regional areas in line with Greater Sydney and Outer Metropolitan regions, providing equal access to the same smart technology city commuters have used for years.

There's no excuse for running late with real time bus movements available to all.

The program was rolled out in three phases, starting in July 2020.

Phase 1 introduced real-time tracking to services in Bega, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour.

Phase 2 followed in September 2022, expanding to 14 regional areas including Albury, Bathurst, Griffith, Orange, Tamworth, and Wagga Wagga.

Phase 3 completed in April 2025, connecting a further 1,738 buses and 1,937 regular and school services across rural and regional NSW.

In total, the system now supports more than 3,880 routes and 316,000 kilometres of daily bus travel.

The TCB Program involved collaboration with 451 contracted bus operators, ranging from large fleet companies to small, family-run businesses — and was completed ahead of schedule.

As well as benefiting passengers, the technology gives Transport for NSW and bus operators new tools to manage services, improve scheduling, and keep buses running on time.

It was even used successfully during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred to promptly cancel services on the NSW North Coast, ensuring passenger safety.

Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the upgrade was about ensuring regional areas were not left behind.

“As someone who represents a regional community, I know how frustrating it is for regional commuters and public transport users who feel left behind when it comes to accessing real-time data," she said.

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"No matter where you live in NSW, you deserve the same quality public transport experience."

“With more than 40 million regional bus journeys every year, every passenger deserves a smooth, reliable trip.

"These upgrades eliminate the guesswork, now you'll know exactly where your bus is and when it will arrive.”

Minister Aitchison says the government is committed to equipping regional areas with the same world-class transport technology as the biggest cities.

To plan your next journey or track a bus in real time, visit transportnsw.info/trip or download a public transport app from transportnsw.info/apps.