On-demand buses trialled in NSW

On-demand private bus shuttles, which will deliver commuters from their homes to railway stations, are to be trialled across Sydney and the Central Coast.

"We have on-demand movies, on-demand food and, finally, NSW will have on-demand transport," Transport Minister Andrew Constance said in a statement on Wednesday.

Sydneysiders and commuters on the Central Coast will be able to download an app and request a rideshare-style minibus when they need it.

The government will contribute $20 million to the six-month subsidised trial which will be rolled out from October and include eight regions in the North West, South West, West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Sutherland Shire and Central Coast.

The 32 buses and minibuses will be operated by different private companies with commuters expected to pay between $2.60 and $5.60 per trip.

Mr Constance said similar trials had occurred in San Fransisco and Hong Kong.

"It's about reducing the number of vehicles on our roads and at the same time encouraging people to use on-demand buses in order to get to a nearby train station, reducing the reliance on commuter car parking," Mr Constance said.

However, the NSW Rail Tram and Bus Union - which represents public transport workers - said the trial was a "pie in the sky" scheme.