ON TIME: Rail Action Bathurst members (back) Greg Westman, Margaret Hollis, Max Turnbull and Chris O’Rourke join Bathurst MP Paul Toole and RAB chairman John Hollis to welcome the new timetable for the Bathurst Bullet. Photo: CHRIS SEABROOK 0923122cdayrail
“ONE small step for the present, one giant leap for the future of Bathurst.”
Rail Action Bathurst chairman John Hollis yesterday echoed the sentiment of the first moon landing when the highly-awaited timetable for the Bathurst Bullet was released by CityRail.
“That’s the way I feel about it. This a tremendous day for Bathurst,” Mr Hollis said. “We’re delighted with the timetable. It’s essentially everything we’ve been looking for.”
The seven-day return passenger rail service will have just six stops plus the option of stopping at Bell on demand only.
In an effort to decrease travel time, it will set down only at Parramatta, Penrith and Springwood; on the return trip, it will pick up only at those stations.
Mr Hollis said the timetable satisfied the requests of the local rail action group, and fitted in well with Bathurst Regional Council’s 2036 Strategic Plan.
“The service has now been delivered; now the community needs to support it,” he said.
The two-carriage refurbished Endeavour will cater for 190 people. It will be launched on Sunday, October 21.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole expected the service would be used by passengers travelling to Sydney for recreational reasons, medical needs and group excursions.
“To have the timetable officially released in the lead-up to the October date is really exciting,” he said.
“After hearing Labor say for 16 years that it wasn’t going to happen, I’m pleased to be a part of a government that has delivered on its promise within 18 months.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to see it come to fruition.”
View the timetable at www.cityrail.info and select Blue Mountains Line or pick up a copy at Bathurst Railway Station.
