The Minns Labor Government is delivering a major uplift in NSW TrainLink coach services, with new and improved routes and modern coaches designed to better serve rural and regional communities.
A 36 percent funding increase across the NSW TrainLink coach network will lift total funding to $290 million over the next nine years, delivering smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers across the state.
From 1 July, 14 coach operators will run 49 routes across the NSW TrainLink coach network, delivering 638 long-distance services each week, up from the current 592 services across 45 routes.
This increases the total coverage of the NSW TrainLink coach network by almost 200,000 kilometres, bringing it to more than 7.15 million kilometres.
The funding will improve existing routes and the introduction of new services, with safety, comfort and accessibility at the centre of the upgraded coach network. On some routes, the uplift will save passengers over two hours in travel time.
Additionally, the majority of services will be operated by modern coaches featuring wheelchair accessibility, improved seating and seatbelts, mobile phone charging points, onboard defibrillators and toilets.
The new services have been informed by extensive community feedback including from regular customers and operators, as well as input from the NSW Bus Taskforce, delivering on the outcomes of an in-depth network review. This includes ensuring better connections between coach services and other modes of transport.
The new routes will service over 360 destinations across NSW and into Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and the ACT.
Key improvements include:
The popular route between Tamworth and Dubbo and return will increase to three times per week.
A new Armidale-Port Macquarie return route creating an Armidale-North Coast connection for the first time, with a train connection at Wauchope to Coffs Harbour, Grafton, the Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast and Brisbane
An enhanced Port Macquarie – Wauchope service enabling travel to Grafton, Coffs Harbour, the Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast and Brisbane (for the first time). Enhanced service between Port Macquarie and Wauchope, providing both northbound and southbound connections. This enables journeys from North Coast and Queensland centres such as Grafton, Coffs Harbour, the northern rivers, Gold Coast and Brisbane to and from Port Macquarie for the first time.
A new Yass-Young coach route connecting with rail at Yass (saving up to two hours on a Young-Sydney trip), plus a two-hour journey time saving for Griffith and Temora passengers travelling to and from Sydney and Canberra. Services will include Yass Junction to Young on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Young to Yass Junction on Thursdays and Sundays. These will connect with rail services to provide a faster, more direct service between Young and Sydney.
The Goulburn-Canberra-Goulburn day return service will run seven days a week, providing a weekend service for the first time.
A new Dubbo Airport stop for routes to and from Nyngan, Bourke and Broken Hill.
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Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said:
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering better connections for regional communities.
“The former Liberal National Government gutted transport across the regions. This additional funding is essential in restoring our regional public transport links and ensuring our regional communities are able to access the services they need and deserve.
“When we came to government, we committed to improve public transport for people in rural, regional and remote areas. This initiative, based on direct feedback from local communities is filling in the gaps in our regional coach network.
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“We know that our NSW TrainLink coach services are crucial, connecting our rural and regional communities to health, education, family and friends.
“These changes deliver savings of up to two-and-a-half hours, we’re making it easier for regional communities to choose public transport and leave the car behind.
“With around 500,000 passenger journeys every year, It’s important that we take our passengers where they need to go, when they need to get there.”
Chief Executive of NSW TrainLink, Roger Weeks said:
“After listening to passengers, local operators and the NSW Bus Taskforce, we’ve reshaped the network to make services more reliable, better connected and easier to use, matching service provision to community need.
“Alongside the network review, we’ve overhauled our coach contracts, making wheelchair accessible coaches standard with better passenger amenities like improved air conditioning and toilets standard.”
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