NSW bus driver pleads guilty to fatal hit

An elderly bus driver who fatally hit a middle-aged woman as she crossed a road in Sydney's CBD will be sentenced after pleading guilty to negligent driving.

Robert Wilson Reid, 71, on Monday pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death over the May 2014 crash which resulted in the death of Christine Mullholland, 52.

Ms Mullholland was crossing at the busy intersection of Clarence and Erskine streets when she was hit and trapped under the bus, stuck between its axles for hours as emergency services tried to free her.

She was eventually rescued and taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital but died a few hours later.

Reid, who was turning the corner when he hit Ms Mullholland, had been waving to a fellow bus driver who had given way to him and wasn't paying ample attention to the road, Sydney's Central Local Court heard.

"He was not looking right when he was turning right," the prosecution said.

"There is simply no reason (Reid) could not see (her)."

Reid's lawyer Mark Cahill asked Magistrate John Andrews to impose a fine or a good behaviour bond.

Mr Cahill argued Reid was remorseful, had a good history on the road and that the crash resulted from a momentary lapse as he turned across a shadowy road.

"He accepts responsibility for what happened," he said.

Reid, who was supported in court by his wife of 45 years and his daughter, has held a licence since 1965 with only two minor blemishes on his record.

"That is as close to an exemplary driving record as your honour would see," Mr Cahill said.

The application for a bond was opposed by the prosecution.

During the hearing a victim impact statement from Ms Mullholland's partner Bruce Gentle was tendered.

Reid will be sentenced on Thursday morning.