Community buses

Affordable community transport for eligible Inner West residents.
Our community buses provide accessible transport for eligible residents who need support getting to appointments, shopping and social activities.

Inner West Council has two buses available for either hire or use by community groups. We also have a community bus loop to assist people around the Leichhardt/Balmain area.

Application to book either the 19 seater bus or the 21 seater bus can be made online or in person or by post.

To apply online, please click the button below and complete the web form:

Apply for the 19 or 21 seater bus online

To apply either in person or by post:

  1. The hirer should complete the Community Bus Booking Application Form
  2. The hirer and driver must read the Community Bus Procedure and also read, sign and application and return form with a copy of the driver’s license to:

Confirmation of the requested booking will be made in writing to the hirer.

Council may require a $500 deposit for new hirers of the bus. If the bus is returned undamaged and in good working order Council will refund the $500 deposit usually within 30 days of the bus being returned to Council.

However, if the bus is damaged while in the care of the hirer the $500 may be forfeited towards payment of Council’s $1,000 insurance excess charge.

Enquiries

Inner West Customer Service Centre on 02 9392 5000 or email council@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

A transport service (19 seat bus) for community groups to enjoy day trips and outings at a subsidised rate.

Features

  • Toyota Coaster
  • Is available for wet hire or dry hire (see Conditions of Hire)
  • Provides an accessibility ramp onto the vehicle

Eligibility guidelines

Applications are assessed and prioritised against the following criteria:

  • The group is non-profit and non-government (with the exception of Inner West Council operations).
  • The group is based in the municipality and/or its members predominantly live in the municipality.
  • The group is transport disadvantaged i.e.; cannot meet the costs of a commercial rate.
  • The group meets the needs of aged, people with a disability, children, young people or disadvantaged residents.

Fees and charges

The minimum hire period is 3 hours. A 25% surcharge applies to all non-Inner West based community groups.

Starting time: Hiring time starts from the Balmain Depot (where a daily 30 minute bus safety check is undertaken prior to the bus trip).

Finishing time: Hiring time finishes when the bus returns to the Balmain Depot.

In addition to the hourly rate, user groups will be charged an additional fee to cover fuel costs. This fee is based on the below sliding scale of kilometres travelled.

Conditions of hire

View the 19 seater bus conditions of hire (PDF, 439.38KB)

Enquiries and further information

For enquiries please email communitybus@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

A transport service (21 seat bus) for community groups to enjoy day trips and outings at a subsidised rate.

Features

  • Mitsubishi Rosa
  • Is only available for wet hire (see Conditions of Hire)
  • Provides an accessibility ramp onto the vehicle

An image of a 21-seater community bus.

Eligibility guidelines

Applications are assessed and prioritised against the following criteria:

  • The group is non-profit and non-government (with the exception of Inner West Council operations).
  • The group is based in the municipality and/or its members predominantly live in the municipality.
  • The group is transport disadvantaged, i.e. cannot meet the costs of a commercial rate.
  • The group meets the needs of aged, people with a disability, children, young people or disadvantaged residents.

An image of community bus with a accessible lift

Fees and charges

The minimum hire period is 3 hours. A 25% surcharge applies to all non-Inner West based community groups.

Starting time: Hiring time starts from the Balmain Depot (where a daily 30 minute bus safety check is undertaken prior to the bus trip).

Finishing time: Hiring time finishes when the bus returns to the Balmain Depot.

In addition to the hourly rate, user groups will be charged an additional fee to cover fuel costs. This fee is based on the below sliding scale of kilometres travelled.

Conditions of hire

Read the 21 seater bus conditions of hire (PDF, 439.38KB)

Enquiries and further information

For enquiries please call 02 9392 5000 or email communitybus@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

The Leichhardt Local Link is a free community bus to help people to access local services such as Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, doctors and health services, transport, community facilities, shopping precincts and high streets.

The bus runs between 8.30am and 2.45pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

an image of Leichhardt Local Link bus

How to catch the busAn image ofLeichhardt Local Link Bus Stop Marker

To travel on the Leichhardt Local Link, you simply need to hail the driver at one of the designated stops that will be signposted and marked on the footpath as a Leichhardt Local Link stop with the bus image on the right.

Key stops and timetable

Key stops
1. Leichhardt Market Place A--10251300
2. Leichhardt Town Hall A
 
083010301305
6. Hunter Baillie Church083310331308
7. Booth and Johnston Streets083510351310
14. LPAC A085010501325
22. Rozelle Public School090511051340
28. Balmain Woolworths A091511151350
30. Balmain Hospital091711171352
37. Laggan Avenue093011301405
39. Balmain Woolworths B093511351410
40. Balmain Town Hall/Library094011401415
23. Hannaford Centre Rozelle094511451420
49. LPAC B095511551430
53. Hawthorne Light Rail100012001435
55. Leichhardt Market Place B100512051440
56. Leichhardt Town Hall B101012101445
57. Hay St Car Park Centrelink (on demand)10151215--

Route map

Download the Leichhardt Local Link stops and route map (PDF, 2.43MB)

Connect Inner West Community Transport Group, Inc.

Connect Inner West Community Transport Group, Inc., services both the Leichhardt and Marrickville areas. Find out more about the Connect Inner West Community Transport Group on their website via this link.

Page last updated: 24 Mar 2026