Newcastle Transport operator Keolis Downer's plans to favour the On-Demand bus service in Lake Macquarie over regular weekend services are being criticised as the area prepares for another timetable revision.
The On-Demand service, which allows commuters to book a bus to pick up or drop them off anywhere in the service area, is being expanded further South towards Belmont TAFE.
The service will double in size and extend to customers in Redhead, Jewells, Floraville, Croudace Bay, Valentine, Belmont North and Belmont.
The frequency of scheduled services will be cut during off-peak times when the On-Demand bus is operating, raising concerns from local MPs Yasmin Catley and Jodie Harrison, as well as the Rail Tram and Bus Union who say the timetable should be left alone.
Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, says cutting regular timetables makes the network less reliable for commuters.
"It is delivering less services, longer journey times, and now they actually want to scrap those fixed services," said Ms Catley.
"It is absolutely disgusting the way that we have been treated here in Newcastle by the government. They need to come up here and they need to fix this problem now."
The plans have faced criticism over the level of consultation, as well as the reduction of the 41, 43, and 48 bus services which will be halved.
The services presently run one one hour intervals, but the MPs say it will be reduced to once every 2 hours under the revised timetable plan.
"The community that I represent tell me that they want the 350 route back. It was the route that took people to where they needed to be," said Yasmin Catley.
"We have a situation where a bus timetable and its routes have been implemented but do not meet the needs of the community. This has to stop."
Ms Catley also believes the community isn't quite sold on the new system and still relies on regular timetabled buses to get around.
"And we know that it is costing tens of thousands, if not millions of dollars more than the services that we currently have in our fixed lines."
Keolis Downer Hunter Director of Corporate Affairs, Andrew Fletcher, said the company made the decision after listening to customers, speaking with drivers and analysing passenger data.
Newcastle Transport will release updated timetables and launch an information campaign on June 16th to keep passengers informed ahead of the changes, which come into effect on June 30th.
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| The On Demand service allows commuters to book a bus through the phone or an app, and they can be dropped off anywhere in the service area. Image: Transport NSW |
