The South Coast will be included as part of a State Government Trial for On Demand Bus Services. Transport and Infrastructure Minister and Bega MP Andrew Constance announced the South Coast was among seven new locations chosen for the trials.
Shelley Hancock MP shared in the announcement saying "It is fantastic to announce with Minister for Transport Andrew Constance MP, new On Demand public transport services for the Milton/Ulladulla region and connecting the southern Shoalhaven with Canberra. Commencing by the end of the year, fifty towns and villages on the South Coast will be able to access the new door-to-door bus services."
“On Demand public transport enables customers to book a vehicle like a mini bus to pick you up from home or a convenient nearby location, and take you to a local transport hub or point of interest,” Mr Constance said.
“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. Booking an On Demand vehicle is as easy as using a phone, an app, or making a reservation online.”
The trial will focus on improved connections to Canberra through a same-day travel schedule on the existing Rixons service.
It allows customers to book a vehicle like a minibus to come and pick you up from home or a convenient nearby location.
Shelley Hancock advised of the area covered “The South Coast trial is one of the largest services of the seven pilots, servicing more than 50 towns and connecting passengers as far north as Milton and including Ulladulla, Braidwood, East Lynne, Termeil, Bawley Point, Lake Tabourie, Dolphin Point, Burrill Lake, Kings Point, Depot Beach, Kioloa, Narrawallee, Mollymook, Merry Beach, and as far south as Narooma, to Canberra”.
“We want to meet the transport needs of passengers who wish to travel from the South Coast to Canberra, particularly for medical appointments, visiting their family and accessing educational institutions.”
The NSW Government is currently trialling On Demand public transport pilots across Sydney and greater metropolitan areas but Mrs Hancock said this latest set of trials will be different.
“By collaborating with local transport operators and local business, these trials will not only provide new transport solutions but also stimulate economic growth in country NSW,”
Mrs Hancock said. “We’ve seen great success with existing trials in metropolitan areas with more than 150,000 passenger trips in less than a year and we can’t wait to see these numbers grow across the state and here on the South Coast.”
