Customers in and around Grafton, Maclean and Yamba will soon benefit from an extra 41 weekly bus services to improve connectivity and better meet customer needs across the Clarence Valley.
NSW Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the new services were part of the first phase of improvements, with a second phase planned for the Clarence Valley to further improve connectivity.
“The NSW Nationals in the state government have done a tremendous job to boost the number of bus services through the 16 Regional Cities Program, building upon our vision to help make public transport a first-choice option for people living in the regions,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“The extra services will make it easier for those travelling to TAFE, various health services, shopping and social facilities in the Grafton CBD, South Grafton, Maclean and Yamba.
“Grafton is internationally renowned for its jacaranda-lined streets, so by improving connections on both sides of the river and to the tourist hotspot of Yamba, locals and tourists will have more opportunity to experience what the city and wider region has to offer.”
NSW Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the services were being delivered as a part of and election commitment to improve transport options in 16 regional cities around the state.
“This is about ensuring our public transport offering meets the specific needs of these communities with more reliable services and better connections to the places people want to visit and at the times they want to travel,” Mr Toole said.
“That’s why we’re delivering an additional 41 weekly services, including a big boost to Saturday services.
“This will see the number of weekly bus services in the Clarence Valley area boosted to 567 from 21 September, while customers will have more choice in when they travel, with extended hours of operation and new Saturday services on key routes like the 373, 374 and 380.”
New bus route changes
Route 373
• Extend weekday hours from 8:01am to 6:42am by introducing one additional trip on all weekday mornings starting at Spring St at Zuber Lane, South Grafton
• Extend weekday hours from 5:10pm to 6:10pm by introducing one additional trip on all weeknights
• Introduce a new weekday morning service at 10:46am to enhance morning service level
• Introduce a new Saturday service – 3 new trips at 9:40am, 12:40pm and 14:40pm
Route 374
• Extend weekday hours from 7:40pm to 9:20pm by introducing one additional trip on all weeknights
• All services after 5:30pm on a weekday will operate along Bimble Avenue, to provide consistency along the route throughout the day
• Extend Saturday hours from 5:13pm to 9:13pm by providing 3 additional trips at 6:13pm, 7:13pm and 9:13pm
Route 378
• Extend the weekday route 4:25pm inbound service (school holiday period only) to finish in Grafton CBD (Prince St at Fitzroy St)
• Extend the weekday route 7:18am outbound service (school holiday period only) to start in Grafton CBD (Grafton Fire Station, Prince St)
Route 380
• Extend weekday hours from Grafton to Yamba from 5:50pm by one hour to provide the last service at 6:50pm
• Extend weekday hours from Yamba to Grafton from 6:06pm by nearly two hours to provide the last service at 7:57pm
• Extend current Saturday 12:48pm service from Grafton to operate to Yamba, and 11:16am service from Yamba to operate to Grafton, reducing the gap between services from 5 hours to 3 hours
• Extend Saturday evening service from Grafton to Yamba by 2 hours by providing 1 additional service departing Grafton at 6:25pm
• Extend Saturday evening service from Yamba to Grafton by nearly 2 hours through an additional service departing Yamba at 7:32pm
Route 375A
• Introduce an additional trip on Saturday evenings at 6:52pm
For more information about the 16 Regional Cities Program, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/16-regional-cities-program.
