A TRIAL weekly bus service between Broken Hill and Mildura will begin on Monday.
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the aim was to increase transport opportunities for isolated regions.
“This will increase access to medical, sporting, educational and social activities in Mildura and beyond,” he said.
“Isolation can be a real and serious problem for small communities living in the state’s Far West.
“We’re confident this new weekly bus service will do a lot to help connect the people here with health and education opportunities.”
NSW Labor’s Barwon spokesperson Stephen Lawrence said there had been support across the board for the new bus service.
“Transport for NSW surveyed Far West communities and received overwhelming feedback from residents,” Mr Lawrence said.
“This includes many elderly residents and people living with a disability, who would welcome improved transport links to Mildura.
“When Transport asked communities what they wanted from a bus service to Mildura, 46 per cent of respondents said they preferred to stay at least four hours in Mildura before making the return journey.
“So it’s great to see the timetable has been designed with all that in mind.”
The service is scheduled leave Broken Hill every Monday at 6.30am and make stops at Menindee and Pooncarie, taking passengers to Mildura Central at 10.42am and Mildura railway station at 10.54am.
Return trips leave Mildura railway station at 3.15pm and Mildura Central at 3.30pm before arriving back at Broken Hill at 7.39pm.
The NSW Government is funding the service provided by CDC Broken Hill.
An existing service along the Silver City Highway operates on Wednesdays and Fridays and includes stops at Wentworth, Mildura Central, Mildura Base Public Hospital and Mildura railway station.
