After launching the trial in early April, the Wagga to Canberra same-day coach has so far received strong support from the community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW TrainLink statistics show an estimated 29 per cent seat capacity being filled on a daily basis since it began running.
"This is a promising start and it's great to see the enthusiasm we saw during community consultation reflected in the patronage once the trail went into service," NSW TrainLink Acting Chief Executive, Pete Allaway said.
The service allows users to spend up to seven hours in Canberra, arriving and returning on the same day.
Operating between Wagga and Canberra five days a week, the coach passes through Gundagai on Mondays and Fridays, and Junee and Cootamundra on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Cootamundra man Chris Hutchins said the service was something more people needed to get behind.
"I travel to Goulburn to look after my niece there who has autism, and sometimes when you get home on the late train you don't get home until after 1am," he said. "So a service like this gives a lot more choice."
Mr Hutchins said the key issue of limited transport options was for daily commuters.
"In cootamundra especially, they need to do something to fix the clientele of afternoon travellers - they have a two hour wait before they can catch a bus or train to get back home, and people don't want to be walking down the street, waiting in the cold, so regular services at normal times like this trial is essential," he said.
"It's about time, it's what people need. We are the forgotten ones in rural NSW. If it wasn't for rural areas, city dwellers wouldn't exist so we need to be looked after."
Mr Allaway urged the community to continue its support, and said the coach's future relies on their participation.
"These services are run on a trial basis and are driven by community support, which is critical if the service is to be included permanently in the NSW TrainLink timetable," Mr Allaway said.
"Unfortunately, the trial coach service between Wagga Wagga and Albury wasn't popular and will end 2 June 2019.
"While this is disappointing, on average only six customers were using the service each day."
The six month trial for Wagga to Canberra will be reevaluated in October to decide if it will continue or be cut from the schedule.
In other news: