A trial coach service providing the community with the opportunity to travel from Wagga to Canberra and back in the same day will be introduced if there is strong support from the community, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced today.
NSW TrainLink is looking for community feedback on the proposed trial that could also connect towns such as Gundagai, Junee and Cootamundra on the way to Canberra, potentially beginning in early 2019.
“We know Canberra is a popular destination for people in Wagga and the surrounding towns which I represent, but there is no direct public transport link at the moment,” Ms Cooke said.
“People have told NSW TrainLink that they would value a public transport connection to Canberra to help them attend medical appointments, go shopping, visit family and friends, or even getting a flight out of Canberra without the need to drive or stay overnight.
“The trial would leave Wagga early in the morning and return that afternoon.
It is proposed the service would run at times that allow customers to connect with trains in Canberra, giving travellers another option if they wish to travel to and from Sydney.
The community is invited to provide input into the planning process to help identify if there’s enough interest in the service, how often it should operate and potential stops in Canberra.
“NSW TrainLink will also be consulting with people in Cootamundra, Junee and Gundagai on options to have the proposed trial stop in these communities on some days,” Ms Cooke said.
“I encourage community members to visit the information booths to find out more about how the trial could operate, lend their support for the service and provide feedback to help plan the timetable.
“People who can’t attend will be able to look at information online and provide their feedback via an online community survey.
“If there is support from the community for the trial it could potentially get underway early in the new year,” Ms Cooke said.
The community survey for the trial will be open until 30 November 2018 and is available at www.transportnsw.info/NSW-TrainLink-trials, along with further information.
The trial would use a modern 41 seat coach with wheelchair lift and additional spaces for two wheelchair customers, plus on board toilet.
Wagga Wagga – Canberra coach trial
Community information booth locations
Gundagai
Date: Monday, 29 October 2018
Time: Drop in anytime between 4.30pm and 7.30pm
Venue: outside the Woolworths, 244 Sheridan Street
Junee
Date: Tuesday, 30 October 2018
Time: drop in any time between 1.00pm and 2.30pm
Venue: outside the Junee Railway Station Cafe, Railway Square
Date: Tuesday, 30 October 2018
Time: Drop in any time between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm
Venue: outside the IGA, 102 Broadway
Cootamundra
Date: Wednesday, 31 October 2018
Time: drop in any time between 12.30pm and 3.30pm
Venue: Cootamundra Railway Station, Hovell Street
Date: Wednesday, 31 October 2018
Time: drop in anytime between 5.00pm and 6.30pm
Venue: outside Woolworths, Parker Lane
Wagga Wagga
Date: Thursday, 1 November 2018
Time: drop in any time between 4.00 pm and 7.30 pm
Venue: Wagga Wagga Marketplace (near the food court), 87 Baylis Street
Date: Friday, 2 November 2018
Time: drop in any time between 11.30am and 3.30pm
Venue: Wagga Wagga Railway Station, Station Place
