The Bourke community is celebrating a new bus service to help transport locals around town
The New South Wales government says the Bourke community now has a flexible transport options as it announces a new pre-booked bus service to support local residents.
NSW regional transport minister Sam Farraway says the bus service will provide an on-demand style transport service for travel within Bourke, to North Bourke, Alice Edwards Village and Bourke Airport.
“The NSW government will continue to provide better services to help make transport consistent, reliable, affordable and accessible for the Bourke community,” Farraway says.
“The government believes that regional and remote communities deserve better public transport, which is why we have introduced more than 2,500 extra bus services across regional NSW.
“This is a win for this community that have been seeking better public transport options that is consistent, reliable, affordable and accessible.”
Farraway says the service will ensure that access to basic needs around Bourke will become more accessible, with the service also linking with NSW TrainLink coaches to Dubbo and to Bourke Airport.
Bourke resident Jodie Dickson says it had been eye opening when she moved from the Central Coast 14 months ago to see just how many people in Bourke don’t have cars to get to appointments or pick up supplies.
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“Bourke is very remote. I work in the local pharmacy and there are services to pick up scripts – but not for everybody. The community here is quite disadvantaged, especially the elderly,” Dickson says.
“There are a lot of people who don’t have a car in Bourke, lots of people ride bikes or walk in the 42-degree heat, so this is a fantastic transport initiative.”
Bourke Shire Council Mayor Barry Hollman says better transport is a necessity due to the harsh contrast of weather conditions all year round, health conditions in the population, the ageing population and distances.
“Having the opportunity to use a safe, reliable mode of transport at an affordable price will increase participation at social, educational and sporting events by the simple fact those events are more accessible,” Hollman says.
“This new bus service will have positive outcomes for the residents and community of Bourke.”
The new bus service started on February 27 and runs from 8AM to 7.30PM Monday to Friday and 9AM to 2PM on Saturday.
It will run as a 12-month trial until February 2024, with the option of extending the program.