READERS may remember a major change being made to the TrainLink bus service timetable last year that left our local passengers greatly inconvenienced and angered by a lack of community consultation.
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Despite a petition being circulated, a public meeting with TrainLink representatives and numerous communications between the community, Council and Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, the changes went ahead on a 12 month trial basis.
That 12 months is now almost up, and TrainLink will soon be reviewing the timetable, with those who have been affected by the changes being urged to get their feedback in for consideration.
And there’s bound to be some travellers keen to get their point across!
The change to the timetable sees local passengers having to depart Bombala more than an hour earlier than previous, and then enduring a two and a half hour bus ride to Cooma via Dalgety and Jindabyne. The service then travels on to Canberra.
The change has seen those leaving from Bombala having to assemble at the bus stop at 6.40am, which in the middle of winter can be both dark and cold; particularly risky for older passengers walking to the stop. Previously the departure time was 8.05am.
There are of course also those who travel from Bendoc, Delegate and other outlying areas who are looking at an even earlier start on often icy and wildlife prone roads just to get to the Bombala stop on time. And then there’s the trip home!
On the other side of the coin, the change was made to allow for residents of Dalgety, Jindabyne and surrounds to have access to the bus service to Cooma and Canberra, which previously they did not.
TrainLink stated last year that the original service to Bombala was being under patronised, and that the change in the timetable to encompass the Snowy Mountains would increase the number of passengers and therefore provide security for the future of the service.
The review will take place in June. All those who wish to have their say on the 12 month trial timetable are urged to send their feedback to NSW Trains, Customer Relations, PO Box K349, Haymarket, NSW, 1238 or phone 131 500 to have your message passed on.
Alternatively you can visit www.nswtrains.nsw.gov.au