A daily return coach service originally slated to connect Albury and Wagga, has introduced more stops to its trial and will even cross state lines to Wodonga.
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From July 16, accessible coaches will leave both Albury-Wodonga and Wagga at 8am, with return services at 5pm.
Each coach has a toilet, two spaces for wheelchairs and capacity for 41 customers.
The original proposed route of Wagga, The Rock, Henty, Culcairn and Albury has been expanded to include stops at Uranquinty, Yerong Creek, Gerogery, Lavington and Wodonga
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie welcomed the inclusion of Wodonga’s Water Tower High Street interchange as a stop in the six-month trial.
“The addition of Wodonga to the route is an indication of how important it is to see our community as Albury-Wodonga and for services to not stop at a state border,” she said.
“We welcome any service that provides more transport to bring people to Wodonga and for our people to access services not available here in Wodonga.”
- Wodonga – Water Tower High Street interchange
- Albury – Albury Railway Station
- Lavington – Lavington Square Shopping Centre, Griffith Road
- Gerogery – Outside the Post Office, Main Street
- Culcairn – Opposite Railway Station, Olympic Highway
- Henty – Opposite Railway Station, Olympic Highway
- Yerong Creek – Outside Post Office, Plunkett Street
- The Rock – Opposite Railway Station, Olympic Highway
- Uranquinty – Outside Caltex, Olympic Highway
- Wagga – Wagga Wagga Railway Station
- Wagga – Baylis Street outside Sturt Mall
- Wagga – Fitzmaurice Street, outside Court House
The proposal was previously criticised by Wagga councillors Daniel Hayes and Vanessa Keenan as failing to address industry’s need for additional rail.
But Albury mayor Kevin Mack said anything that helps people travel between, was an “advantage to both cities”.
He said it was smart to test the bus route before investing in more train stock.
“It’s an opportunity to prove whether a bus route is viable or not,” he said.
“We need to start the discussion somewhere so it’s great.”
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Member for Albury, Greg Aplin said it wasn’t possible to provide more XPT train services as no trains were available to run extra services, but the bus service would complement existing public transport.
A NSW Trains spokesman said the service will cost pensioners and seniors $2.50, children and students, $13.26.
Adult ticket prices will be subject to seasonal prices, like the XPT train service, costing $18.56 off-peak, $22.53 in the shoulder season and $26.51 in peak season.
Customers can book seats at Transport NSW’s website or call 13 22 32.
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