The NSW Police bomb squad was called in after a homemade bomb discovered in Wagga's suburbs brought several streets to a standstill on Monday morning.
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Residents in Kooringal faced a nervous wait after the shocking discovery was made in a bus shelter on Ziegler Avenue about 11am.
A quick-thinking bystander alerted police to a suspicious device in the shelter near Berala Street, prompting a swift response.
NSW Police were joined by crews from Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance as they cordoned off the area, closing a number of streets before calling the bomb squad from Sydney.
Just up the road from the exclusion zone, Kooringal High School took to social media to issue a message to parents.
"Dear parents and carers, we have been advised by the police that we are not in the inclusion zone. Please do not call the school, you will be advised if any further action needs to be taken. Thank you for your assistance,” the school said on its Facebook page.
Explosives experts arrived at 3.30pm and determined the suspicious item was an improvised explosive device.
It was detonated at the scene with no injuries or damage to property, Wagga police's Superintendent Bob Noble confirmed.
It is not yet known what the bomb was made of.
Public transport passengers faced changes during the ordeal, with Busabout warning customers they would be facing delays and alternate routes.
Buses, carrying school students and the general public, were boarded at a different location.
Police have no suspects as yet but are appealing to the general public for information on those who might be involved.
Superintendent Bob Noble said those with information on people involved can contact Wagga Police 6922 2599 or CrimeStoppers 1800 333 000.
Superintendent Noble also encourages members of the public to report similar suspicious devices if they find them in a public place and to not touch them as they wait for police to respond.
