It took more than a decade of pushing for additional passenger train services in Singleton, but public transport advocacy group Two More Trains has finally had its wish come true.
The historic township will now permanently welcome two daily return train services between Singleton and Newcastle seven days a week.
In fact, passengers now have six return options to Newcastle on weekdays and four on weekends, with Singleton trains also connecting with services to and from Sydney.
The permanent additional services are the result of more than a decade of campaigning and a three-and-half-year trial.
Singleton mayor Sue Moore is calling on the LGA’s residents to leave the car at home and take full advantage of the permanent additional passenger train services in Singleton.
“This is a great achievement for the community, and a campaign that council has whole-heartedly supported, particularly as part of the Singleton Advocacy Agenda over the past five years, and we are incredibly grateful to the NSW Government for listening to us and taking our feedback on board,” she stated.
“I’m extremely excited that these new passenger services will remain in operation permanently and, more importantly, to see the people of Singleton and all the way down the line putting them to good use so we can leverage even more services.
“I’m thrilled with this outcome and congratulate everyone who has been involved in the countless meetings, letters and petitions over the years to achieve this result, in particular the tireless work of the Two More Trains for Singleton group.”
Cr Moore said council would continue to lobby the state government for even greater public transport options for Singleton to improve connectivity throughout the LGA and the greater Hunter region.
“It’s critical that the level of service in Singleton is further enhanced for the future prosperity of the Singleton area and while these permanent extra services are a step in the right direction, it’s not unrealistic to expect the same service level as other locations on the Hunter line such as Maitland,” she added.
“In the interim, I encourage everyone to take out the stress of traffic and parking — the train really is a good option for wherever you’re headed.”
Two More Trains for Singleton spokesperson Martin Fallding said the group would continue to push for better train timetables, meeting with representatives from the NSW Government and council in Singleton on Monday to discuss.
“The community is encouraged use train services to not only ensure they continue, and to support the provision of more frequent services,” he said.
“I am more than confident that if council and Two Trains for Singleton continue to work closely together to advocate for public transport services that Singleton needs into the future, we will achieve positive outcomes.”
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