Opal Card readers should be installed at Orange railway station as a first step toward extending the Bathurst Bullet.
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That's the view of the Nationals candidate Kate Hazelton, who like all nine candidates standing for the seat of Orange in Saturday's state election, has committed to seeking to upgrade transport services in their profiles.
Mrs Hazelton said, if elected, she would lobby the Transport minister for the card readers and then negotiate to find premises to stable the train in Orange.
"Both of these measures will allow the train to start and finish here everyday," she said. Mrs Hazelton also called for a review of coach timetables so they suited people in Orange rather than Sydney.
Member for Orange and Shooters Fishers and Farmers candiate Phil Donato said he would continue to push the government for the 'hard cash' needed for the upgrades.
Country Labor candidate Luke Sanger said he would also work with councils and ministers to bring XPT facilities back to Orange.
"It has been needed for a lot of years and is at least eight years late," he said.
Stephen Nugent (Greens) said he would also lobby for line upgrades and track straightening. "And, I'd liaise closely with NSW TrailLink Coaches, Orange Buslines and Orange Council to upgrade passenger facilities at Orange railway station to 2020 standard," he said.
Garry McMahon (Conservatives) said the service "consisting of bus-rail combination is cumbersome. Arrival and departure times make a single day trip to Sydney virtually impossible."
"There is a need to upgrade services, infrastructure and planning," he said.
Maurice Davey (Christian Democrats) said he would push for rail and road upgrades, including the Bells Line of Road corridor.
David O'Brien (Keep Sydney Open) said public transport is a major policy for his party.
"The Bathurst Bullet has had huge success in creating extra transport options and we would be incredibly silly not to include this as part of our plan," he said.
Stephen Bisgrove (Liberal Democrats) said it was a "disgrace that our train travel opportunity and needs are not better addressed. To me this is a priority in providing greater opportunity to our electorate."
Terri Ann Baxter (Independent) said she would seek further information and "push for the best outcome."
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