Tenambit’s Jenny Rooke and East Maitland’s Sue Stanley caught a train from Victoria Street on Tuesday morning before arriving in Newcastle on a bus 50 minutes later.

The pair aimed to replicate how Maitland rail users may have to use the system by year’s end in place of the existing rail system, which enables commuters to do the same trip in 30 to 35 minutes.

“Time is irrelevant to me as a pensioner, but it’s different if you’re working,” Ms Rooke said.

“It’s OK to revitalise Newcastle, but we’re being disadvantaged.” 

To reach their Newcastle destination they changed trains at Hamilton for Broadmeadow, which was flagged as a potential interchange.

“If it was a train bus it will pick up outside the station, but we don’t know that,” Ms Rooke said.

Transport for NSW defended plans to truncate the line at Wickham.

“Customers will be able to catch interim bus services at both Broadmeadow and Hamilton as part of a detailed plan that will ensure the transition between rail and bus services is as easy and efficient as possible for our customers,” a spokesman said.

But Ms Rooke raised concerns with any plans for train buses to effectively pick up and set down passengers.

“The area outside Broadmeadow was very congested,” Ms Rooke said.

Taxis and long-haul buses vied for space outside the station, which the Greens claimed would leave little space for additional buses.

Their 50-minute commute included time getting on and off transport, adding about 20 minutes to the trip.

The transport spokesman said the truncation was necessary and would require a fully equipped interchange at Wickham.

“Part of the project involves truncating the heavy rail line, creating a transport interchange at Wickham and introducing light rail to enhance and accelerate many renewal initiatives,” he said.

“The Newcastle Light Rail project will deliver an integrated transport solution to help drive urban renewal and improve links between the city centre and its waterfront – reinventing Newcastle as a modern, vibrant city.”

The spokesman declined to comment on how many tickets would be needed to complete the trip and at what cost.