The New South Wales government has labelled the revamped TrainLink coach network as “a new era for regional travel”, with the $290 million upgrade rolling out.
Communities across regional NSW are set to benefit from the largest upgrade to the TrainLink coach network in over a decade, with the funding being invested over the next nine years to deliver new services, modern coaches and improved passenger amenities across the state.
Every day, on average, 1,594 passenger journeys are made on the NSW TrainLink coach network, with regional passengers relying on services to get to work, access healthcare and education, visit family and friends and stay connected to their communities.
Now, these people can use an updated TrainLink network, with modern coaches setting a new standard for regional travel, featuring enhanced accessibility and onboard amenities like higher quality seating, wheelchair accessibility, improved air-conditioning, onboard toilets, mobile phone charging points, Wi-Fi or mobile reception booster capability and life-saving defibrillators.
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From July 1, 14 coach operators have started operating an expanded TrainLink network, providing 638 long-distance services each week across 49 routes, up from 592 weekly services on 45 routes.
The expansion increases network coverage by almost 200,000 kilometres each year, bringing the total network to more than 7.15 million kilometres and connecting more than 360 destinations across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
The new coaches will also carry a distinctive sunset orange livery, creating a consistent and modern identity for regional public transport services across the state. More than half of all routes will be serviced by the new vehicles from now, with the remaining routes transitioning to upgraded coaches over the coming months.
“This roll-out marks the beginning of a new era for regional coach travel in NSW,” NSW regional transport Jenny Aitchison says.
“For more than 580,000 passenger journeys every year, this $290 million investment is a game changer. It means more services, more choice and a safer, more comfortable journey.
“We know that regional communities face challenges that are simply different from those in our cities. Distances are greater, alternatives are fewer, and the stakes of a missed or unreliable service are higher. This investment is our answer to that – a commitment to services that actually reflect how people in regional NSW live and travel.
“This investment is another example of the Minns Labor government’s commitment to improving the everyday lives of our regional communities.”
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