Transport in Newcastle, NSW

[#Metro]

http://www.sydneybuses.info/newcastle/network-interchange-maps
Network map: http://www.sydneybuses.info/newcastle/uploads/file/pdfs/network-maps/network-map-200811.pdf

Any news on removing the rail line? Seems Unlikely.

IMHO direct BRT to the CBD with the rest as buses feeding rail and more frequent trains might work.
LRT? Seems un-necessary. It could be run on the track as a lower capacity (but more frequent) alternative but doubtful that this would be cheaper.

[colinw]

LRT on the existing heavy rail corridor - no way!!!! Keep the CityRail line into Newcastle. The city centre station & services to Sydney must remain, and hopefully get sped up and made more attractive. Best electric timings Sydney to Newcastle today are some 20 minutes slower than the Flyer in the 1930s/1940s behind a 36 or 38 class steam loco.

LRT on other corridors in Newcastle (e.g the old tram routes)?  Can't say, I'm not familiar enough with Newcastle to know if it would work.

[somebody]

Best electric timings Sydney to Newcastle today are some 20 minutes slower than the Flyer in the 1930s/1940s behind a 36 or 38 class steam loco.

I didn't know that.  Thanks for posting this.

[colinw]

Actually - I may be mistaken.  I think the very fastest of the Newcastle run may be comparable, but the "normal" service definitely is slower than the Flyer was.  I'll see if I can confirm the accuracy of what I said above.

[Sunbus610]

LRT on the existing heavy rail corridor - no way!!!! Keep the CityRail line into Newcastle. The city centre station & services to Sydney must remain, and hopefully get sped up and made more attractive.

Save Our Rail NSW Inc. has been involved in a continuous campaign to raise support for the Newcastle rail service that the State Government plans to cut. We have organised a number of public meetings, rallies and protests that demonstrate the overwhelming support for the maintenance and improvement of the Newcastle Service as essential to the life of the region.

Save Our Rail is not a "rabble" as unfairly depicted in newspaper cartoons, but a responsible group of unpaid volunteers, who undertake to work on behalf of the community, to retain services and advocate public transport use. We have co-operated with other groups, including the Newcastle Alliance and Hunter Business Chamber.

Their website >>> http://saveourrail.org.au/