The John Hunter Hospital shuttle bus is back after popular demand, after services ceased in 2015 when new car parking spaces were constructed at the campus.
Patients, visitors, and staff at John Hunter Hospital will now once again benefit from a free park-and-ride shuttle bus service, providing regular and convenient transport to and from the hospital campus.
After being out of service for 9 years, the NSW government promised to reinstate the popular service as part of its 2023 election commitment.
As the major trauma centre for northern NSW and one of the busiest outpatient services in the state, more than 4000 people work at John Hunter Hospital, with thousands of patients and visitors attending the Hospital campus every day.
“I’m thrilled to bring this important service back to the local community to make it easier for people to travel to John Hunter Hospital,” health minister Ryan Park says.
“This will reduce demand for parking spaces by offering a reliable and consistent transport alternative for patients and their families, as well as providing a convenient way for our hard-working staff to get to work.”
On Monday to Friday between 6.00am and 6.00pm, a 22-seater bus will provide a regular service between the hospital and McDonald Jones Stadium where parking is available. A second 14-seater bus will run during morning and afternoon peak times.
QR codes will allow passengers to track the bus in real-time and be alerted to any disruptions. This will ease commuting stress for staff and improve travel journeys for patients and visitors. It will also help to reduce traffic congestion and demand for parking spaces at the hospital.
“Thank you to the thousands of residents who filled out my petition to restate this service,” member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery says.
“This service is something our community has long advocated for, so I am thrilled that it is being reinstated to make car parking and commuting easier for patients, visitors and staff.”
The shuttle service is one of several strategies the Hunter New England Local Health District has implemented in recent years to improve access to the hospital, including expanding carparking, upgrading the road network and entry points to the campus, and collaborating with local bus companies to increase public transport options.