Service expansion provides weekend connection to isolated communities

A popular bus services that connects people living in rural and remote communities in the state’s west and south to regional and city centres will be expanded to include a weekend service from tomorrow. 

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the popularity of the Tumut to Wagga Wagga bus service trial, which earlier this year was extended for a further 12 months, will be expanded to include a second weekly service to run on Saturdays. 

“In July we announced the extension of the Tumut to Wagga Wagga trial to June 2024 and since then the patronage has been steadily increasing with 390 passengers travelling on the service from July to September,” the spokesperson said.

“More than 2650 trips have been made on this service since its launch in June 2020, and due to the increased popularity, we are adding another weekly service.”

The spokesperson said Transport consulted with local key stakeholders and the bus operator, Goodes Coaches, conducted a survey with their passengers to understand the community’s need for a second service and to determine which day would be most beneficial. 

“We listened to the community who have told us Saturdays would best suit them as there is no public transport in and out of Tumut on that day, with the CountryLink bus operating from Sunday to Friday only,” the spokesperson said. 

“The feedback received indicates expanding to Saturdays will further appeal to those passengers interested in recreation and social activities on the weekends, compared to passengers accessing the weekday service for health or medical appointments and shopping.”

The new service will start this Saturday 14 October. Customers can view the timetables and book their service at https://transportnsw.info/regional-trials.