People travelling from Maitland, Dungog and the upper reaches of the Hunter had to contend with scheduled track work on the Newcastle line last weekend.

Bev Atkinson said the journey from Scone to Newcastle, usually a two-hour commute, took more than 3.5 hours.

She said it was a sign of things to come ahead of the ­permanent rail closure. 

“It was a disaster; its planning and execution was chaotic,” Ms Atkinson said. 

“People really suffered, nearly missed planes, crammed into full buses with luggage and bikes, were late and exhausted.

“On the return journey the bus was full at Hamilton. The desperate driver had to leave people for slower, later buses.”

She said the track work meant some people were two hours late to a rally that advocated for better representation for Newcastle and the Hunter at Civic Park on Saturday.

“We are using the system. We are still planning our last holidays in Newcastle by rail,” Ms Atkinson said. 

“The real stakeholders are us [in the greater Hunter]. We were not consulted at all. We are the million in the Newcastle catchment, the real and growing market for Newcastle’s businesses.” 

An environmental impact study is under way to determine the effects of replacing the train line with light rail between Wickham and Newcastle ­stations.

Despite a Boxing Day rail closure date, the government has not announced a time frame for the light rail to be established.

Until light rail eventuates, commuters will have to change from trains to buses at Broadmeadow to reach the CBD.

The government has repeatedly ignored calls to postpone the closure until the March election to allow Hunter residents to make their feelings known at the ballot box.

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