Getting 59 new bus services in Lismore has taken lots of consultation with the State Government, but now we’ve got them, Social Futures chief executive Tony Davies says we need to use them.

Mr Davies joined MLC Ben Franklin and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole in Lismore last week to officially announce the new bus services, which extend Buslines' bus hours of operations, including new bus trips on Sundays.

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MLC Ben Franklin and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole at Lismore Transit Centre.

Mr Davies said Social Futures had been working with State Government for the past 20 years to get more transport options available in our regional area.

“Our region sees a lot of economic and educational disadvantage, and not everyone has access to a car,” he said.

“We run homelessness and youth services and we know and transport is a key issue for many people in the region - so we are delighted to see the extended times of Buslines services now. This will help people get to the hospital later in the day or on the weekend.”

MLC Ben Franklin and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole in Lismore last week.

Hail the bus driver and get on the bus

While Mr Franklin announced the new services will “be here forever”, Mr Davies said it was just a first step toward making transport better, and that if people wanted to see more local services over time, “you need to get out there and use them”.

“Keeping these bus services is something we will be holding government to,” Mr Davies said. “If people use the transport, there will be more coming - so get out there, find out about them and use the services.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said in big cities, a lot of people had public transport routes that went past their front door.

“In regional areas it’s a different story,” he said. “So, it’s great news that now there’s services connecting town and Lismore residents to the university and TAFE.

“The new services also provide safe transport for young people at night to get in and out of town.”

Buslines chief executive Peter Ferris talks with Mr Toole.

More work for bus staff

Buslines chief executive Peter Ferris said one of the other great benefits of the additional bus services was that it had given more working hours and work for his staff “so they all benefit”.

“People rely on us and the government to provide the services,” he said. “So it’s great services are now extended on Saturday – people used to have to be home by 1pm on a Saturday afternoon, but now you can go out until 6pm.”

Mr Toole said the 59 additional weekly bus services would deliver better connections to community centres such as Lismore Base Hospital, TAFE, Southern Cross University and industrial areas of North and South Lismore. 

New changes include additional Saturday trips in the early evening on the 688 “Late Nighter” service travelling from Goonellabah to Lismore.  

There are also new Sunday trips to and from the Lismore CBD, Southern Cross University, Goonellabah shops, Lismore Hospital, Lismore Heights and East Lismore.

Read more about the new services

The new services are:

Route 682: Lismore to Goonellabah via Southern Cross University 

∙ Better connections with the services to North and South Lismore on weekdays ∙ Additional trip on weekday evenings 

∙ Additional trip on Saturday midday 

∙ Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 5.30pm 

∙ New trips on Sundays from 8.30am to 5pm 

Route 683: Lismore to Lismore Heights via Southern Cross University 

∙ Additional trip on weekday early mornings with connection to North and South Lismore 

∙ Additional trip on Saturday mornings 

∙ Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 5pm 

∙ New trips on Sundays from 9am to 4pm 

Route 684: Lismore to South Lismore via East Lismore 

∙ Extension of early morning trip to commence from Lismore Hospital ∙ Additional trips to the industrial area in north and south Lismore on weekday afternoons 

∙ Additional trips on Saturdays until 5pm 

Route 685: Lismore to Goonellabah via Lismore Base Hospital & Lismore Heights 

∙ Better connections with the services to North and South Lismore on weekdays ∙ Additional trip on weekday evenings 

∙ Additional trip on Saturday midday 

∙ Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 4pm 

Route 688 (Late-Nighter) 

∙ New trips on Saturdays early in the evening, travelling from Goonellabah to Lismore.

Updated information is available to plan your trip at https://transportnsw.info/.Information about the new bus timetable across Lismore, school services and fares is available on the operator’s webpage.

For more information about the 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/16-regional-cities 

program.