BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle’s private transport operator will certainly be starting the new year fresh when it comes to its transport network.

Keolis Downer announced their new Newcastle Transport network today which will be introduced from January 14, 2018 running across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

More than 1200 bus and ferry services, or 25 per cent more services, will be added to the timetable and the whole network is aimed to improve connections between suburbs and town centres. Services will run every 15 minutes during the day.

Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason said they’ve used a lot of community consultation from both people who use public transport and those who don’t, to create the new timetable.
Keolis Downer CEO Campbell Mason.

“We really need to get them out of cars and onto buses and ferries so we’ve had a very extensive program of community engagement and programs to get input via our website, social pinpoint interactive site, direct representations and of course hearing from our staff.”

The transport operator says they’ll be carrying out a lot of communication to the public about the changes between now and January 14 including through advertising, the

newcastletransport.info

website which has an interactive map allowing you to drop a pin into the area you want to go and get details on the services which will be going through that particular point.
Keolis Downer also plans to have an online travel concierge, customer service operators throughout the city and pop up sessions.
Campbell says they’ve designed a network to better connect with train services as well.
“Obviously we have connections running into Cardiff, Broadmeadow Station and the Newcastle Interchange itself. One of the key things as I mentioned we’ve been hearing from the Lake Macquarie area, Swansea and Belmont in particular, is the need for better connection through to Cardiff.”
The revamp of the system will also see the route numbers change from being three digits to just double digits.
“One of the things that we’ve been keen to do is to make sure we have a new network and have new and revised routes we need new numbers. Our experience has shown that people will be confused if you try and keep the old route numbers and change the route,” said Campbell.