Parkes is one of 10 stations revealed as being unmanned in the coming months.

Another 20 state wide will be forced to operate with fewer staff and shorter opening hours.

It’s all part of a massive shake-up of the state’s rail system.

Parkes Mayor, Ken Keith is not impressed and said the matter would be discussed in detail at next week’s shire council meeting.

“These decisions don't take into consideration those people who do not have access to the Internet or have not adopted the new technology,” Cr Keith said.

“It particularly disadvantages poorer or the elderly who need to talk to staff about their bookings. 

“I have found the Opal Card very convenient in Sydney but that isn't available out here where people want to be assured they have a seat on the coach which takes them to the XPT.”

A review by NSW TrainLink, which runs regional and rural rail services, has raised concerns about the lack of ­security and shrinking customer service on trains to and from some regional towns.

Up to 60 ­positions on stations will be cut due to a drop in face-to-face ticket sales, patronage levels and staff workloads.

(Parkes has one permanent staff member).

TrainLink management said more people are going on line to purchase tickets, or ringing the 1300 number.

Serious concerns have been raised about the lack of security, assistance, the well-being of elderly passengers who have no other means of public transport.

It has also been stressed that many elderly people will not go online to get tickets, and that many don’t have computers.

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Here in Parkes, there is only one train service a week to Sydney.

The Silver City Explorer arrives from Sydney at 12.48pm on Mondays, on its way to Broken Hill.

It stops in Parkes on the return journey at 2.43pm on Tuesday.

This is the only all-the-way train service to Sydney.

The Indian Pacific is now a private train operated by Great Southern Railways and stops here on its way to Perth at 11.33pm on Wednesdays, and on its way back at 2.30am on Wednesdays.

Unfortunately, cost of this service is becoming increasingly prohibitive and there are very few passengers.

There is a regular coach service - Monday to Saturday - at 6.30am, terminating in Lithgow to connect to regular train services.

For seven days a week, there is an afternoon coach to Orange, to connect with the XPT.

Many locals use these services.

Tickets can be purchased at the station now, as well as online and bookings through the 1300 number.  

Payment can also be made to the coach driver.

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NSW TrainLink People and Corporate Services Director John Hussey said the shake-up was critical for the long term sustainability of NSW TrainLink - “so we can continue to serve regional communities well into the future.”

Opposition transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay said the planned changes were all about ‘reducing services and removing jobs from rural areas.’

“It is time to invest in public transport services and support our rural communities,” Ms McKay said.

Greens NSW MP and Transport Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi said:

“To see stations completely unstaffed with no one able to assist is very disappointing.  Literally billions of dollars is being wasted in Sydney while the Government cries poor about providing even basic services to the rest of the state.

“Perhaps Premier Baird lives in a world where everyone can afford to drive or fly everywhere, but the reality is that regional rail and coach services are vital to many towns and communities outside of Sydney.

“These staff cuts really do show contempt for regional public transport.

“We should be investing in improving services and making them more attractive for people, not getting rid of staff who assist people. 

“Short sighted cuts like this will only exacerbate the loss of passengers on these services.”