Maiden Tram Trip Marks New Era for Newcastle

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Politicians and lucky locals took the first trip on the Newcastle Light Rail this morning.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian was joined by Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Newcastle Liberal Candidate Blake Keating and Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald for the ride from Newcastle Beach to Newcastle Interchange.

It was the first complete trip for the tram while carrying a load of passengers, which included a host of excited schoolchildren.

Concerns were raised about the expected efficiency of the service last week after it was revealed one tram was yet to finish testing and another was still yet to arrive from Spain, but Andrew Constance dismissed these, saying it won't make any difference.

"There will be a tram every ten minutes and then they'll get the final vehicle in place and that will then deliver the optimum seven and a half minute frequency over the next couple of weeks," said Mr Constance.

The premier said the project's completion comes after years of hard work.

"I remember when I first became the transport minister nobody used public transport in the CBD of Newcastle, the buses ran around empty, the services didn't connect," said Gladys Berejiklian.

"This frequency and the value for money is going to attract people like never before."

Residents will be able to ride the tram for free on Sunday as part of a community event to launch the service before paid services begin on Monday morning.

Andrew Constance, Gladys Berejiklian and Blake Keating. Image: Gemma Ferguson/2nurfm News

Dawn Service attendees urged to consider public transport

BY JARROD MELMETH

If you are one of the 55-thousand people expected to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Nobbys Beach on Wednesday, you may want to consider public transport.

Authorities are urging people to consider the free park-and-ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium to Queens Wharf departing every five to 10 minutes return from 3:30am to 12:30pm.

President of the Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch Ken Fayle said the service will commence at 5am.

"The Lord Mayor will be lighting the ANZAC flame for 2018 at 5am and then we will proceed to our traditional service which will run through to about 6am," Mr Fayle said.

Newcastle City Police District is working closely with Council and the local Anzac Day Committee to ensure a safe, smoothly run event following the recent loss of 500 car spaces along the Harbour and in the David Jones car park.

Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson is encouraging members of the public to think about their journey in advance for the dawn service and day-time commemorations.

"Historically up to 50,000 people have attended the early morning commemoration, which leads to significant traffic congestion.

"We anticipate that the loss of Hunter Street as a traffic corridor will further impact congestion and travel times and therefore recommend that people consider using the public transport and Park and Ride options that have been planned to ensure the minimum of delay to their travel," Chief Inspector Lawson said.

The traditional Anzac Day March from the mall to Civic Park will travel along King Street and not Hunter Street, where light rail is currently being built.

Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop said Newcastle Transport would provide a number of public transport options across Anzac Day including free travel for veterans and their families.

Additional dawn service bus routes from 3:15am to 4am and 6:10am to 6:35am will also be running on the following routes:

Route 13 will depart from Glendale at 3:30am, 3:40am, 3:45am and 3:50am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.

Route 11 will depart from Jesmond at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am, 6:35am.

Route 23 will depart from Wallsend at 3:40am, 3:45am, 3:50am and 4am with departures from Queens Wharf 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am, 6:35am.

A special ANZAC event route 14S service will also be operating via Belmont, Jewells, Charlestown then Adamstown to Queens Wharf.

Route 14S will be departing from Swansea at 3:20am, 3:30am, 3:40am and 6:25am with departures from Queens Wharf at 6:15am, 6:20am, 6:25am and 6:35am.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she commends Keolis Downer for putting on extra services to ensure the event runs smoothly.

2017 Nobbys Dawn Service March. Photo: Newcastle Council.

Keolis Downer defends bus patronage increase

BY JARROD MELMETH

An increase of patronage on Newcastle buses by almost five percent is being labelled by private operator Keolis Downer as a "strong endorsement of the new network design."

New data released today shows a jump of almost 15,000 passengers for the month of January 2018 compared to the same period last year but, questions are being raised due to customers being required to catch more services to reach their destinations, therefore tapping their opal cards more than ever.

However, Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager Mark Dunlop says the Opal system in NSW is very sophisticated as it considers the passengers' journey and does not count people twice.

Mr Dunlop added that a network planning team is reviewing all of the information and data to understand what is working and where improvements need to be made.

"Our drivers are playing a huge role in letting us know what is working out there and what improvements can be made operationally, as well as passing on feedback from customers.

"We will also take this opportunity to improve connections and make minor adjustments to routes to better meet patronage or for route directness, as well as ensuring buses are running on time," Mr Dunlop said.

Keolis Downer has confirmed the largest increase in patronage is on high-frequency routes such as the 11 and the 29 to Cardiff Train Station.

Mixed Reviews for Newcastle Bus Network

BY MATT JOHNSTON

The first weekday of Newcastle's new bus network has been met with mixed reactions from commuters.

Despite 1200 extra services on offer and increased frequency on certain routes, some passengers are wary of the changes.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, remains optimistic people can look past the teething pains to take advantages of the new services on offer.

He says it's the biggest shake-up to Hunter transport in a decade, and innovative features like buses on demand.

"It was really exciting to be on the first bus on Sunday. It's a service that you can now use in suburbs like Dudley, Mount Hutton, Whitebridge, Windale, Warners Bay, Eleebana, Gateshead and Charlestown. It's a great new service."

But the Uber-like Buses On Demand, and services to John Hunter Hospital every 15 minutes on certain routes, has some customers feeling left out.

Rail Tram and Bus Union division president David Woollams said the early feedback they've received has been mostly negative.

"A lot of the passengers are disappointed now that they don't have, in some areas, a direct service, that they do have to changes buses, that there's been more than about 200 bus stops removed right across the network."

"Some passengers are experiencing a 50-minute wait for connecting services."

But while this might lead to frustration, the union wants to remind people that it's not bus drivers who are to blame.

David Woollams hopes the network can be adapted to make public transport a more viable option, but he isn't optimistic that will be the case if buses and waiting for connections will take significantly longer than driving.

Photo: Downer Group

Newcastle Transport: Start planning your Journey

BY JARROD MELMETH

With just over two weeks until the overhaul of Newcastle's Transport network comes into effect, commuters can start planning their journeys as of today.

Newcastle Transport's private operator Keolis Downer announced the new network in November promising more services and better connections.

As of January 14, most bus routes will have been revised as well as bus numbers changing to a new two digit number.

Commuters can plan their trip by visiting newcastletransport.info or by dropping into the Newcastle Transport Hub to pick up a printed timetable.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region network coming into effect
January 14. 

Free Park And Ride Trial Set To Free Up Newcastle CBD Parking Spaces

BY IAN CROUCH and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A new park and ride plan is expected to take up to 350 vehicles out of the Newcastle CBD each weekday.

From Monday, people can park at McDonald Jones Stadium and catch a free bus into the city every 15 minutes between 6.30 and 8.30 on weekday mornings, with a return service between 4.30 and 6pm.

Morning buses will stop at four locations and the afternoon return service will pick up commuters from Customs House, the corner of Perkins and King Streets, Civic and Marketown every 15 minutes.

It's expected to save workers $1400 a year in parking fees.

The free trial continues until January 29 when a $2 fee applies to park at the Stadium.

It's hoped the service will free up car parks for CBD shoppers and ease congestion while the light rail is built.

Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel, said it's a great initiative. "It reduces the cost to the commuter, and I think businesses will appreciate just how many car spaces are freed-up throughout the day.

"Commuters will be able to easily get into the city and enjoy the activities that we're putting on as part of Revitalising Newcastle." 

The trial will also help gauge support for Council's push to extend the light rail line to Broadmeadow.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for people to vote with their cars by jumping on to this park and ride bus morning and afternoon," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"This will be a huge benefit for us pushing our case for the expansion of the light rail network
out to this stadium precinct."

There will be alternative park and ride locations when the Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights have weekday evening matches at the stadium, but those locations have not yet been determined.

"So at the moment there's a lot of land around this precinct at Broadmeadow," Ms Nelmes said, "We're working with Venues NSW for those couple of times in the next 12 months where there are Knights or Jets games on a Friday to look for an alternative site; that's a work in progress."

She believes the service will operate smoothly.

"A lot of work has gone into ensuring the operations of this service will be as simple as possible, and as cheap as possible."

Commuters wanting to use the service must register for a free permit either online at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride or by calling Newcastle Council on 4974 2000.

Proud: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Revitalising Newcastle Director, Michael Cassel. Image: Lauren Freemantle.

Park And Ride Service About To Start At McDonald Jones Stadium.

Newcastle Transport Consultation in Wallsend

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents are being urged to go along to an information session with Newcastle's transport operator this morning.

The consultation started at 9:30 at the Wallsend Plaza and goes until 12:30pm.

It comes after a string of problems with Keolis Downer underpaying works and cancelling a range of services, reportedly without any notice.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is very happy the operator decided to hold consultation sessions out in her electorate and is urging everyone to go along.

"Accessible and reliable public transport is a priority for many in Wallsend. Thousands of residents in the western suburbs rely on public transport to get to work and school every day,"

"It is important that Wallsend residents make sure that their voices are heard on this issue."

Newcastle Bus Drivers Underpaid Again!

BY IAN CROUCH

Transport Minister, Andrew Constance has put Newcastle's private transport operator on notice after bus drivers were again underpaid this week.

The Herald reports Keolis Downer failed to pay more than a dozen drivers their correct pay and entitlements .

It comes after more than 70 workers were underpaid last month.

Andrew Constance has demanded the company rectify the problem, saying "Keolis Downer needs to fix this, and fix it quick".

Keolis Downer chief executive, Campbell Mason said there have been problems with the migration of data between rostering and payroll systems and an eight-person taskforce has been working to address the issues which have caused these problems.

It's the latest in a series of problems for the private transport operator, with several bus services cancelled in recent weeks due to drivers being off on sick leave.