Huge boost to regional NSW bus network, 200 extra runs at Coffs Harbour

Extra bus services are rolling out in 16 key regional cities, including more than 200 extra runs at Coffs Harbour, where public transport demand has been driven by Sydney sea-changers.

More than 200 additional bus runs will come online at Coffs Harbour from October 30, boosting connections to popular tourist destinations like The Jetty.

Getting around Coffs Harbour and 15 other key NSW regional cities is set to get much easier on the back of a program to turbocharge urban public bus services.

The state government program will see an additional 200-plus runs at Coffs from Monday.

“It has been a huge undertaking because Coffs Harbour’s bus network is one of the state’s largest, covering an area from Grafton and Red Rock in the north, to Macksville and Grassy Head in the south, as well as Bellingen and Bowraville in the west,” Transport for NSW North Region director Anna Zycki said.

“These new services have been designed so people can catch buses to places they want to get to, at the times they want to travel.”

Demand for public transport has spiralled in Coffs on the back of significant population growth, fuelled by sea-changers and Covid refugees from Greater Sydney, who discovered they could work effectively from home and from remote regional locations.

“Coffs Harbour is a growth region which has seen an influx of population particularly over the past three years as people with more flexible work arrangements moved out of metropolitan centres,” said Chris Wolf, of local transport operator Busways.

“We’ve worked with Transport for NSW to design meaningful improvements to the bus service in what is one of the biggest network changes since we started operating in the region 20 years ago.”

The expanded network will include more services to the Park Beach Plaza at Coffs Harbour.

Providing the additional services is a challenge for regional bus operators given the statewide shortage of drivers.

“Drivers transferred temporarily from other Busways depots will provide support while we recruit two additional casual bus drivers and train and induct five recent recruits,” Mr Wolf said.

Busways chief operating officer Chris Wolf.

“We encourage anyone who loves driving and is seeking a casual role working between 15-20 hours per week serving the Coffs Harbour community to apply to work with our friendly Coffs Harbour driving team.”

The state program has already seen services boosted in Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Greater Nowra, Griffith, Lismore, Orange, Queanbeyan, Tweed Heads and Wagga Wagga.

Additional public bus services are being added to 16 key regional cities.

Next is Coffs, Grafton, Armidale, Parkes, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.

Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the new network represents “an increase of around 19 per cent on the current timetable”.

The Coffs Harbour Jetty – a favourite spot for locals and tourists will benefit from extra bus connections. Pictured are Rishayni, and twins Ezra and Seth Butterman from Moonee. Picture: Chris Knight

“One of the main benefits will be more regular and direct services, making public transport an even more attractive and hassle-free option for locals and visitors, while at the same time reducing congestion on our roads,” she said.

The program will create almost 40 additional jobs on just the Coffs Coast.

Bus companies are challenged on the back of a statewide shortage of drivers.

“The improved and expanded bus network has created a total of 38 additional full-time and part-time bus driver jobs at operators Busways and Forest Coach Lines,” Ms Zycki said.

From Monday, Coffs Harbour services will include:

* Weekday buses every 30 minutes between Park Beach Plaza, Park Beach, The Jetty and Coffs Harbour CBD

* Weekday buses every 30 minutes between Park Beach Plaza, Coffs Harbour CBD, Health Campus, Southern Cross University and Toormina Gardens

* Faster and more direct bus services between Coffs Harbour and the northern beach suburbs, with connections to the expanded Woopi Connect service

* A new weekday peak express bus service between Macksville, Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour, and new weekday, middle-of-day services between Bowraville and Macksville, with connecting onward travel towards Coffs Harbour.

* More weekend and public holiday services

* Town bus services made available in the Bambara Drive housing estate for the first time; and

* Expansion of the Woopi Connect On Demand bus service to Sandy Beach and Emerald Beach.