In what many have coined as 'a long time coming', the first coach travelling from Wagga to Canberra departed on Monday April 8 as part of a new trial linking the city with the nation's capital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The trial will run for six month, operating five weekly services, with the coach passing through Junee and Cootamundra on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and stopping through Gundagai on Mondays and Fridays.
A NSW TrainLink spokesperson could not provide exact numbers of attendance, but said the first run was a success and hoped the service would gain more popularity over time.
"The first trip for the Wagga Wagga to Canberra trial coach service successfully left Wagga Wagga train station Monday 8 April and arrived in Canberra on time," they said.
"We are pleased to see the coach service being utilised in its first week, reflecting the positive feedback we received during the community consultation period."
The spokesperson said the turnout was confirmation of feedback they had received in the lead up to the trial.
"Patronage in the first few days of service is in line with expectations and the feedback we received from the community," they said.
"NSW TrainLink looks forward to seeing patronage grow over the six month trial period and encourages the community to continue to support the service to ensure its success."
A Wagga man who was one of many eagerly awaiting a service of this kind said he hoped the community supported the trial through to its completion.
"I do believe it is a worthwhile trial, I used to catch the train from Wagga to Canberra, and as someone who is blind, having to get off at Yass to then catch the coach was difficult," Brian Connoley said.
"I hope it leads to permanency, the community have been asking for this, as well as one connecting through to Quenbeyan."
NSW TrainLink will be reviewing customer feedback and preferences during the six month trial to see if any improvements can be made, and if it is worthwhile continuing services.
In other news: