A six-month bus trial taking residents in Walla, Jindera and Burrumbuttock to Albury has kicked off this week and is already popular.
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Regional Buses partners Matt Kane and Allan Ofak are running the initiative in partnership with Transport for NSW, as one of seven On Demand trials announced late last year.
Between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday, residents within a four kilometre radius of Urana Road, Walla-Walla-Jindera Road and Burrumbuttock-Walla-Walla Road are able to book up two hours prior to be picked up and taken to Albury for a standard fare of $4.90.
The initial term of the On Demand pilot will be six months and Transport for NSW has the option to extend in six month increments, up to a total period of 24 months.
Burrumbuttock resident Neil Fischer was on the 12-seater bus for the second day of operation on Tuesday, and used his Regional Excursion Daily ticket to get to Lavington Square.
“I’m on a disability pension, so I paid $2.50, and they picked me up from Burrumbuttock and took me into town and dropped me home about 3.30pm,” he said.
“Usually to get into town I ask a mate.
“It’s good for the community – kids going to school or university, and people like myself, can make bookings.”
A Transport for NSW spokesman said the pilot connecting Burrumbuttock, Walla Walla and Jindera with Albury was catering to customers’ needs.
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“The broad objective of the On Demand pilots across metropolitan and regional NSW is to test and improve our understanding of how different transport models can improve customer experience,” he said.
“Learnings, data and customer feedback from the pilots will be used to inform future public transport improvements.”