The NSW governments says a new major overhaul of services in Dubbo, NSW will see routes boosted by 87 per cent.
The government says passengers will benefit from the increase in timetabled hours and a new service between West Dubbo and Orana Mall that will run every 30 minutes on weekdays.
The service will connect Delroy Park Shopping Centre, Dubbo CBD, Dubbo Station, Aldi, Dubbo Base Hospital and TAFE.
NSW regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison has announced a major boost for public transport in Dubbo with 112 extra weekly bus services to roll out from next month.
There will also be a new connection between Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Orana Mall via the Dubbo CBD, Western Plains Cultural Centre and Dubbo Showground. Regular bus routes will also provide new links to Bunnings, Dubbo Sports World and the North Dubbo industrial area.
“I’m delighted to announce 112 extra weekly timetabled services. These improvements are part of our commitment to make public transport in the regions more accessible,” Aitchison says.
“We know that public transport is a social determinant of health, education, opportunity and jobs. These improvements to the Dubbo bus network will make a real difference and help more people get where they need to go at times that are more convenient for them.
“As we roll out this new and improved network from October 16, I invite everyone to try the new bus services for themselves.”
Growing areas will receive regular services for the first time, including Keswick, Southlakes, Grangewood and Delroy Park. The timetable also includes more timely, direct routes to Dubbo Base Hospital.
Additionally, the Dubbo urban area will now have access to bus services on Sundays and Public Holidays. Longer distance bus trips from Narromine, Geurie and Wellington will now stop at ALDI and Dubbo Station.
Services to the town of Wongarbon will significantly increase to four trips per weekday in both directions – better connecting Wongarbon with Dubbo and Wellington.
The uplift in local bus services was developed after an extensive community consultation process received more than 300 contributions about topics such as ideal travel times and route preferences.
Delivered by Transport for NSW in conjunction with Dubbo Buslines, Ogden’s Coaches and Dubbo Regional Council, the new bus network is part of the NSW Government’s 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program.
“It is fantastic to be delivering improved public transport services in the Dubbo region, particularly to communities outside of the Dubbo urban area including Narromine, Geurie, Wellington and Wongarbon,” Ogdens Coaches general manager Jeff Neill says.
“These services will make sure that people in those regional communities can easily get into Dubbo for shopping, medical appointments and connect at Dubbo Station with trains and coaches to a range of destinations across NSW.”
The new bus network begins operating from October 16 and it comes as a new trial of contactless payments get underway enabling passengers on 11 buses operated by Dubbo Buslines to pay for their trips by tapping a card reader with their credit or debit card that has a chip on it or linked devices such as smart phones and watches.
To encourage everyone to get on board the new bus network, Transport for NSW and Dubbo Buslines is holding a series of Bus Travel Experience Days.
“We are proud to be helping deliver a new bus network for Dubbo that is smarter, easier to use and that better meets people’s needs to get to medical appointments, work, shops and social events,” Buslines Group head of service delivery Chris Moule says.
“All of our public route buses are wheelchair accessible, they lower to the ground, and there’s a ramp that makes it easy for anyone with a wheelchair, or other mobility challenge to use the bus.
“I encourage anyone who may not have travelled on a bus since their school days to give them a go.
“Buses are clean, comfortable, quiet and air conditioned and the customer experience just got even better, with cashless payments now an option.”