Coach timetable changes aim to improve community connections across southern NSW and the ACT

Residents of southern NSW and the ACT have been invited to have a say on proposed timetable changes to the TrainLink coach services due to come into effect in 18 months.

NSW TrainLink is the state’s long-distance train and coach operator, catering to NSW and the ACT and providing some services into Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. There are currently 571 coach services each week across 39 routes, with more than 420,000 passenger journeys made each year.

The network in the state’s south covers Albury, Cooma, Canberra, Cootamundra, Echuca, Eden, Goulburn, Griffith, Mildura, Canberra/Queanbeyan, Tumut and Wagga Wagga, and changes have been proposed to improve the NSW TrainLink’s coach services.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the updated coach plan would not impact train times or services but would deliver improved connections to strategic centres and major cities.

“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,” she said.

“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 planned changes are based on extensive community and stakeholder feedback and would include the updated timetable, several new routes, additional services on some existing routes and new stops.

“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,” Ms Aitchison said.

A new route between Yass and Young would travel northbound on Wednesdays and Saturdays and southbound on Thursdays and Sundays to connect with rail services at Yass and cut the travel time from Young to Sydney by two hours.

The route between Condobolin and Wagga Wagga in both directions would operate via Lake Cargelligo seven days a week, providing a more consistent service to some smaller towns.

Jindabyne would receive increased service frequency and Bombala would be served by a new, more-direct route to Cooma and Canberra.

Cooma passengers would have the choice of a morning service to Canberra seven days a week and an afternoon service to Canberra four days a week, both with ongoing rail connections to Sydney.

The weekday return service between Goulburn and Canberra would operate on the weekends for the first time.

Other proposed changes include rerouting the Mildura to Cootamundra route to instead operate to Wagga Wagga to improve local connections.

New timings and days of operation are proposed for the Griffith to Cootamundra route (formerly part of Mildura to Cootamundra) to provide a more seamless rail connection at Cootamundra, delivering a two-hour journey time saving for Griffith and Temora passengers travelling to and from Sydney and Canberra.

Coach services to Gundagai, Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba will be revised to provide better connections to and from Wagga Wagga and improved rail connections at Cootamundra, providing a two-hour journey time saving for journeys to and from Sydney on selected days.

Following public consultation, a final service plan will be developed and coach operators will be able to apply for new NSW TrainLink contracts proposed to take effect from mid-2026.

“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,” Ms Aitchison said.

Community members can provide feedback via an online survey before Friday, 14 February.

Original Article published by Chris Roe on Region Riverina.