Bus Safety Reform Strategy

Community safety is the Northern Territory Government’s number one priority, and that includes making sure every Territorian feels safe when they catch a bus.

A Bus Safety Reform Strategy PDF (552.4 KB) has been developed. The strategy is a multi-stage plan to:

• reduce anti-social behaviour
• improve safety
• enhance service delivery.

A number of initiatives are proposed including:

• Continuation of free bus travel beyond 1 July 2025: This is an interim measure to improve driver safety by eliminating the need for them to carry cash on board.

• Launch of the new and improved NT Bus Tracker App on 1 August 2025: This will give passengers the ability to track their bus in real-time, receive arrival notifications, and plan their journeys; factoring in walking and cycling times to their destination.
• Closure of interchanges:
  • The Casuarina Bus Interchange will be closed by October 2025. Alternate bus stops will be available on Trower Road at the Woolworths carpark, Scaturchio Street and Bradshaw Terrace. Bus services will loop around Casuarina, providing access to all three bus stops to ensure passengers maintain access to their usual routes without being required to walk between stops. See below map.
  • The Darwin Bus Interchange will be closed by October 2025. Darwin Bus Interchange will continue to act as a bus stop and layover bay for drivers.
  • The Palmerston Bus Interchange requires further consideration in light of its connections to the Palmerston suburbs and rural areas. A more comprehensive update will be provided once a broader review has been undertaken.
• Initial bus network review: This will be undertaken by October 2025 to consider route and timetable changes to accommodate the removal of the Casuarina Bus Interchange. This will include a review of late-night bus services with low patronage.
• Broader network review: A broader review for the entire bus network to achieve efficiencies, better connections and frequencies. This review will also consider school bus routes and how they intersect with the broader urban network.
• Infrastructure improvements: An infrastructure review will be undertaken to evaluate current bus stop and bus shelter placements and design to create a safer environment for passengers.
• Upgraded safety measures: This includes expanded CCTV at known hotspots, direct radio connections between drivers and Transit Officers, and enhanced duress alarms on board buses.

Community feedback

The Northern Territory Government sought community feedback on the Bus Safety Reform Strategy via haveyoursay.nt.gov.au.

Consultation closed 11 July 2025. Submissions are under review.

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