Newcastle Herald: Keolis Downer announces new direct bus connections in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie timetable shake-up
Direct connections between eastern Lake Macquarie and two of the region’s major shopping and business hubs are among the changes Newcastle’s bus operator will introduce in July.
The Newcastle Herald can reveal that Keolis Downer will amend its new timetable – which has been the subject of public outcry in recent months – in response to community feedback.
Cardiff and Macquarie Hills will get a direct service to Kotara, as will south eastern Lake Macquarie with Charlestown.
Direct services between Swansea Heads, Charlestown and Newcastle CBD will also be added to the timetable.
Keolis Downer says it will improve bus services to The House With No Steps in Lambton – one of the region’s largest providers for people with a disability – and has also confirmed it is looking to improve connections between Cardiff South and Charlestown.
The changes come after vocal public backlash to the new timetable, which was introduced in January.
The reaction has included public protests, a community meeting at Belmont that drew about 1000 people and a petition that triggered a debate in state parliament.