It seems Wollongong's new pop-up cycleways are being blamed for community confusion surrounding the removal of some Free Gong Shuttle signs.
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But many residents remain confused why some signs seem to have also disappeared along the Princes Highway in Fairy Meadow and along the heart of the CBD in Crown Street, Wollongong.
They wondered if this meant more bike lanes were on the way for the area in question.
But a Wollongong City Council spokesperson told the Mercury the "Council has no plans at this point in time for new on-road cycleways along the Princes Highway".
"The installation of information signage, including timetables and route information for busses in Wollongong is the responsibility of Transport for NSW and they are best placed to answer your questions on any missing or changed signage," the spokesperson added.
But Transport for NSW had no answers about the signs when asked by the Mercury.
But a spokesperson said Transport for NSW had worked with the council to facilitate changes to the Gong Shuttle service, as the council implemented a pop-up cycle way along Smith Street, which has been altered to one-way eastbound for vehicles.
"To accommodate these changes to Smith Street, there have been minor changes to Route 55C (clockwise loop) of the Gong Shuttle service.
"A bus stop on Corrimal Street has also been moved about 120m and is now located south of Market Street.
"There has been no changes to service frequencies for the Gong Shuttle."
The council spokesperson confirmed the council were making a number of small and larger changes to some of the streets within the Wollongong CBD to accommodate separated cycleways, traffic calming infrastructure and shared pathways.
"These are temporary pilot changes that will be assessed and evaluated at different times over the 12 months to determine what works best for our community.
"In February, the 55C Free Gong Shuttle route was modified to run via Market Street to allow for the installation of a separated cycleway along Smith Street and the bus stop for the 55C and the 65 bus services, previously on the east side of Corrimal Street between Smith Street and Market Street, was moved to a new location about 120 metres south on Corrimal Street (between Market Street and 115 Corrimal Street).
"These changes were approved by TfNSW as they are the responsible agency for the Bus Service.
"Bus stop signs were installed at the new bus stop as well as a temporary bus shelter. The 55A route and bus stops remain unchanged."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
