DAY trips to Orange or Dubbo for shopping or business will become more accessible for Bathurst residents when a six-month trial of a NSW TrainLink service begins in April.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A morning coach service to connect Bathurst with Dubbo and Orange will operate four times a week from Monday, April 8.
It will initially run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, leaving Bathurst at 6.15am and stopping at Orange (7am), Molong (7.30am), Wellington (8.15am) and Geurie (8.35am) before arriving in Dubbo at 9am.
Passengers will then be able to catch an existing train services for the trip home.
The train leaves Dubbo at 2.15pm and stops at Geurie, Orange and Wellington before arriving in Bathurst at 5.06pm.
Bathurst MP Paul Toole said the six-month trial was in response to strong support and feedback from the community during a recent consultation by NSW TrainLink.
“This is great news for our community as they will soon be able to travel to Dubbo or Orange and return home the same day on an existing train service,” Mr Toole said.
“Feedback from the community indicates the new connection will benefit people needing to move more frequently around the Central West for work or study reasons, to visit family and friends, go shopping or attend medical appointments.
“It’s clear people are keen to see better direct public transport links between the regional communities and we hope this new morning service helps provide them with more choice and flexibility when travelling around the Central West.”
Tickets for the TrainLink service go on sale from Monday, March 25 and Mr Toole encouraged residents to use it or lose it.
NSW TrainLink will review patronage, customer feedback and preferences during the six-month trial to see if any improvements can be made.
Mr Toole said the trial would use a modern, accessible coach with a wheelchair lift, space for up to two wheelchairs, an on-board toilet as well as USB chargers for mobile devices.
Customers can book seats on the trial coach services online at www.transportnsw.info/regional or by phoning NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32.
Concessions are available for eligible customers.
