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Regional NSW invited to give input for proposed coach timetables

Following public consultation, a final service plan will be developed and coach operators will be able to apply for new NSW TrainLink contracts

Changes to NSW TrainLink coach timetables are expected to come into effect mid-2026, with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) inviting regional NSW community members to share their ideas.

NSW TrainLink is the state’s long distance regional public transport provider, servicing the state’s north coast, north west, western NSW and southern NSW, connecting communities and providing links to rail services and larger centres.

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The proposed changes to coach services include adjusted timetables to meet passenger needs, streamlined routes to improve journey times and improved connectivity at key transport hubs.

“The proposed NSW TrainLink coach plan will deliver improved connections to strategic centres and major cities,” regional transport and roads minister Jenny Aitchison says.

“This will lead to better transport integration with other modes such as train, bus and plane so that members of the community are better able to access vital services including health, education and employment.

“Improved NSW TrainLink coach services also allow community members to stay connected with family and friends and enjoy entertainment and recreation in major centres, so there are numerous wellbeing benefits.”

The North Coast community could see Ballina better serviced with day and night services, while an enhanced service between Port Macquarie and Wauchope would enable passengers to travel to and from Port Macquarie to centres such as Grafton, Coffs Harbour, the Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, for the first time.

A new route has also been proposed between Armidale and Port Macquarie which would operate on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, while other routes are proposed to be simplified or merged.

For the North West, the popular route between Tamworth and Dubbo and return would increase in frequency to three times per week.

In Armidale, there would be a new CBD stop for services to and from Tenterfield and Inverell, giving passengers closer access to retail, health and education facilities.

A new Monday service is proposed for the Western NSW community between Broken Hill and Mildura via Menindee and Pooncarie in addition to the current Wednesday and Friday services.

A new Dubbo Airport stop would also be added on routes to and from Nyngan, Bourke and Broken Hill while Wilcannia, Cobar and Nyngan would have a new day-return service option to Dubbo on Tuesdays.

Southern NSW would see a new route between Yass and Young running northbound Wednesdays and Saturdays and southbound on Thursdays and Sundays, enabling people to connect with rail services at Yass.

All services between Condobolin and Wagga Wagga in both directions would operate via Lake Cargelligo seven days a week, providing a more consistent service and a frequency increase to some towns.

The planned changes are based on extensive community and stakeholder feedback from a range of sources including regular customer and operator feedback, and the NSW Bus Taskforce. The proposed coach timetable would not impact train times or services.

“We know that the NSW TrainLink coach network particularly helps some of the most disadvantaged in our society, including those in rural and remote areas and Aboriginal communities, who often have little or no access to other forms of affordable, accessible transport,” Aitchison says.

“I encourage everyone to provide feedback so we can best plan for future need and make sure people can get where they need to go when they need to travel.”

Community members can find details of the proposed routes and provide feedback at haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/trainlink-coach-network-review until February 14.

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