A trial coach service connecting towns in the Central West was launched last month.
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NSW TrainLink Acting Chief Executive Pete Allaway said the six-month trial followed strong support via feedback from the community during recent consultation conducted by NSW TrainLink.
"This is great news for our community throughout the Central West as these new trial services complement existing rail and coach services in the area in order to provide much needed day return options," Mr Allaway said.
"As well as connecting Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Parkes, the trial coach services will provide more travel options to link townships such as Tomingley, Peak Hill, Alectown, Manildra, Molong, Wellington and Geurie to their regional neighbours."
The trial will give customers in Bathurst and Orange an early morning service that arrives in Dubbo at 9am.
These customers can then return to Orange or Bathurst the same day using the existing rail service.
Customers in Dubbo, who already have a day return service to Orange, now have a day return option to Parkes, departing in the morning and returning in the evening on an existing coach service.
Customers from Dubbo can also use this service on Mondays to connect with the XPLORER bound for Broken Hill.
"The feedback we received was excellent. We used surveys and face-to-face community consultation sessions last year to shape the final trial timetable and schedule," Mr Allaway said.
"I encourage the community to take advantage of the trial coach services to ensure their success.
"These services are run on a trial basis and are driven by community need. For example, the Tamworth to Dubbo and Tamworth to Port Macquarie trial coach services introduced in March 2018 have been extended until December 2019 due to the level of patronage."
NSW TrainLink will be reviewing customer feedback and preferences during the six-month trial to see if any improvements can be made.
Customers can book the trial coach services online at www.transportnsw.info/regional or by phoning NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32.
Concessions are available for eligible customers.
