Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the draft Central West and Orana Regional Transport Plan provides a blueprint for transforming the way people travel in, around and through the region over the next 20 years.

And the bulk of that transformation looks set to occur in the region's three biggest centres - with population figures indicating Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo will grow significantly by 2041, and will collectively account for over half of the region's estimated 306,000 people.

While the populations of towns and villages around the city will remain stable, Orange's population is forecast to leap by a whopping 16 per cent, to almost 52,000 people, in the next two decades.

With that in mind, the plan says innovations in technology, aviation and electronic vehicles will enable more attractive, alternative ways to travel both within city limits and across the region, and help reduce the use of privately owned vehicles, which currently dominates the way we move around the Central West.

Currently, 91 per cent of all trips to work are in a car. Six per cent either walk or ride a bike to work and just one per cent use public transport.

The plan hopes by 2041, about one in every five trips will be made by walking, cycling or public transport across the region.

In addition, the plan's bold vision predicts a higher proportion of the region's population will have access to day return services to their nearest regionally significant centre and there will be an improved multi-modal connectivity between the region, Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra.

The multi-billion-dollar upgrade of the Great Western Highway is just one of the projects designed to help that vision come to fruition.

The plan has identified 65 other initiatives - some in planning, others are being investigated while a few are in production - that in combination will support the 2041 regional transport vision for the Central West and Orana.

Mr Toole said his government has worked alongside representatives from Orange City Council - and the 18 other councils involved - and the Joint Organisations of Councils to make sure the plan is "thorough and well considered".

"The region is changing and growing, so it is important that we have the right transport services and infrastructure in place to support the region's growth," Mr Toole said.

"We want to provide a vision for how we will be ready for anticipated changes in land use, population and travel demand across the region."

The plan has been released with the view of getting public feedback, which Mr Toole indicated was a critical part of the process.

"This is a chance for people to get online and review the plan's key initiatives and identify what they see as most important - from active transport proposals to road safety treatments and public transport improvements," he added.

"The draft plan builds on our vision to help make walking, cycling and public transport a first-choice option for more people, more often across the region, and looks at how we can transform our road and rail networks to keep us all better connected."

Projects in delivery in Orange include the Regional Cities Bus Services Improvement Program and phase two of the Transport Connected Bus Program.

The state government is also planning on improvements of the Mitchell Highway west of Orange and hopes to work with local government to expand cycling networks.

While the extension of the Bathurst Bullet to Orange is being investigated, and has long been pushed by the Orange Rail Action Group.

Also listed as "for investigation", with a timeframe of one to 10 years, are the electrification of the rail corridor between Lithgow and Bathurst and what is described as "fast rail improvements - Sydney to Central West".

The community can visit yoursay.transport.nsw.gov.au/cwortp to have their say and make submissions until 5pm on Friday 18 February 2022.

For more information the draft plan visit https://future.transport.nsw.gov.au/CWORTP

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