THE need to build the North-West Rail Link had become critical, Castle Hill MP Michael Richardson said, following predictions of traffic gridlock within six to seven years from increased bus services.

``Nathan Rees and the Labor Government can't continue to take the ostrich approach on this issue a tsunami of buses is set to overwhelm them,'' said Mr Richardson (pictured).

``They may think this issue won't affect their voters but in reality it's going to affect everyone who commutes to the city.

``It's bad enough now but under Labor's approach it's going to get a lot worse. York Street and Clarence Street simply can't cope with the 30per cent increase in bus numbers predicted for 2016.''

The Government's Transport Data Centre has predicted ``high levels of bus congestion and delay for all passengers, consistent with the observed conditions on the ground'', The Sydney Morning Herald has reported.

Bus patronage in The Hills is growing by double figures each year yet the Government's experts say a mere 14per cent increase in demand would mean 57 buses would be unable to enter the city by way of Sydney Harbour Bridge in the morning.

Mr Richardson said a 30per cent increase would stretch the queue back to North Sydney, while buses wouldn't be able to get out of the city during the evening peak-hour gridlock would be the norm.

He said this was a problem that could no longer be ignored. ``The first train was supposed to be pulling out of Castle Hill station next year,'' he said. ``The very least the Government can do to regain some faith with The Hills residents is to start work on the railway line by its original completion date.''