DAY trips to Bathurst or Dubbo will become more accessible for Orange residents when a six-month trial of NSW TrainLink services begins in April.
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A morning coach service to connect Orange with the other Central West cities 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.
The train will then leave Dubbo at 2.15pm with stops at Geurie, Wellington and Orange before arriving in Bathurst at 5.06pm.
It’s clear people are keen to see better direct public transport links between the regional communities.
- Member for Bathurst Paul Toole
An additional service - to be trialed at the same time and operating on the same days - will leave Dubbo at 10am before stopping at Tomingley, Peak Hill, Alectown, Parkes and Manildra before arriving in Orange at 12.45pm.
Tickets for the TrainLink services go on sale from Monday, March 25.
NSW TrainLink will review patronage, customer feedback and preferences during the six-month trial to see if any improvements can be made.
Concessions will be available for eligible customers.
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.
“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," Mr Toole said.
“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.”
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.
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