The New South Wales government has announced it is trialling a new weekly bus service between Broken Hill and Mildura to increase transport options for isolated communities.
Courtesy of government funding, CDC Broken Hill will run the trial service from November 18 onwards.
Operating each Monday, the service will offer improved access to health, shopping and entertainment options not available in smaller towns.
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The service will depart Broken Hill Visitor Centre at 6.30am and stock for pick-ups and drop-offs at Menindee and Pooncarie before arriving at Mildura Central Shopping Centre at 10.42am and then Mildura Railway Station at 10.54am.
The return service then leaves the station at 3.15pm and Mildura Central at 3.30pm before stopping at Pooncarie and Menindee on the way to Broken Hill at 7.39pm.
The service won’t take bookings, with passengers able to simply turn up and travel, as the cost of the service will vary depending on the passenger’s point of origin and destination, as well as any concession card holders.
“This new weekly trial service will give residents living in the remote communities of Broken Hill, Menindee, Sunset Strip, Pooncarie and Wentworth a reliable bus service to access medical, sporting, educational and social activities in Mildura and beyond,” NSW regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison says.
“Isolation can be a real and serious problem for small communities living in the state’s Far West and we’re confident this new weekly bus service will do a lot to help connect the people here with health and education opportunities.
“This new service is in addition to our other new trial services in Collarenebri and Brewarrina.”
Member for Barwon Roy Butler has welcomed the service and the accessibility offered to locals in the region.
“It’s good to see the government offering improved access to transport options to our local communities. Being able to get on a regular service for things like medical appointments is absolutely essential in remote areas,” Butler says.
“We need to ensure that this service is exactly what the community needs, so I encourage the people to (literally) get on board for this trial and take advantage of the service, to see if it suits their specific needs.”
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