Good news for those who don’t drive, as an on-demand public transport trial starts next month.
Northern Rivers’ bus passengers will soon be able to use On-Demand public transport with Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, Member for Lismore, Thomas George and Nationals candidate for Lismore, Austin Curtin announcing trial services will begin soon.
The new services will be available from March 18, allowing customers to book their ride at a time and place most convenient for them.
‘On-Demand public transport enables customers to book a vehicle like a mini bus via phone, online or app, to pick you up from home or a convenient nearby location, and take you to a local transport hub or point of interest,’ said Mr Constance.
‘This is public transport at a time that suits you, arriving where and when people need them so they can manage their own time without being over-reliant on their car.’
The new Northern Rivers transport service will use the mini-buses of two buslines to link residents of Alstonville, Wollongbar and Chilcotts Grass, and Goonellabah to transport hubs that connect through to existing route services to Lismore or Ballina.
Customers can expect to pay a standard fare starting from $2.30 and the existing Regional Excursion Daily (RED) tickets for seniors and pensioners will be accepted.
Member for Lismore Thomas George said the Northern Rivers trial is great news for both local passengers and local businesses.
‘By collaborating with transport operators and local business, these trials will not only provide new transport solutions but also stimulate economic growth for our local community’, said Mr George.
‘The aim of the NSW Government’s On Demand Transport Pilot Program is to test and learn through the delivery of new and creative transport services so informed decisions can be made about public transport delivery into the future.’
The uptake of on-demand services in trials across the state is one of the fastest in the world according the Nationals.
Mr Curtin said it’s vital for the growth of business in the Northern Rivers that new models of public transport delivery are explored.
‘If elected I will continue to work with the Government to develop options like on-demand bus services, extending them into areas like Murwillumbah and Tenterfield,’ said Mr Curtin.
The Nationals say that the NSW On-Demand program is recognised as one of the most geographically unique with next month’s trial making the diversity of services on offer internationally one of a kind.
Services will operate, Monday – Friday: 6.30am – 6.30pm.
And then Saturday services will operate as follows:
Goonellabah 7.30am – 1.30pm
Alstonville: 9.00am – 2.00pm
