A trial coach service offering same day return travel between Cootamundra and Canberra will be introduced if there’s strong support from the community, announced Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke.
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“People have told NSW TrainLink they would value a public transport connection to Canberra to attend medical appointments, go shopping, visit family and friends, or even get a flight out of Canberra without the need to drive or stay overnight,” Ms Cooke said.
There are two potential routes between Wagga and Canberra with one via Gundagai and the other via Junee and Cootamundra. Depending on community feedback both routes may be trialed on different days of the week.
The trial of the Wagga–Junee–Cootamundra–Canberra route would see a coach depart Cootamundra in the morning and return that afternoon.
Community input is invited into the planning process to help identify if there’s enough interest, how often it should operate and potential stops in Canberra.
An information stall was set up by NSW TrainLink at the railway station and outside Woolworths in Cootamundra on Wednesday to engage with the community. Staff were kept busy with enquiries.
Cootamundra local Judy Johnson says she would definitely use the proposed new coachlink. “I go to Canberra to babysit my great granddaughter, and usually drive over, but it would be easier for me to go on the bus.” Another local, Judy Collis was all for the new service too. “It’s about options,” she said.
Bus driver Mark Fauchon said, “I’m sure there’ll be a few passengers who will find the proposed service more convenient than the existing routes and timetables.”
NSW TrainLink is looking for community feedback. You can still have you say online at www.transportnsw.info/NSW-TrainLink-trials where the community survey along with other information will be open for your input until 30 November 2018.
