This week I had a morning  appointment in the Sydney CBD. 

 The early Trainlink coach left Orange Station at 5.20am and arrived at Bathurst Station just after 6am. Only one passenger joined the coach.  

The coach then arrived at Lithgow station about 7am and all passengers moved to platform one to await the electric train.  

To our surprise, the two-car Bullet train arrived a few minutes later and all the coach passengers stepped on. 

The train stopped only three times in the Blue Mountains, was comfortable and arrived at Central at 9.30am.   

We were not interrupted by 20 stops to Penrith and masses of school kids getting on and off.  

Total time was four hours and 10 minutes from Orange, about the same as driving and a coffee stop.  

I support any effort to reschedule the morning coach service from Orange station to meet the morning Bathurst Bullet. 

This coach could go directly to Lithgow, as most passengers from Bathurst (at that time) would be on the Bullet. 

Such an efficient link should increase patronage from Orange on this early morning service, particularly for business people. 

Across the aisle from me was a man who worked on his laptop and made mobile phone calls throughout the journey, thus being able to make use of the time to do business. 

Such is the advantage of a fast, efficient and comfortable train service.

Nick King, Orange