East Maitland rail commuter Ben Horn urged his fellow train passengers to step up protests against the truncation of the Newcastle rail line before it’s too late.
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Mr Horn has commuted five days a week for the past 18 months and will face additional costs if he cannot catch a train to his workplace in Newcastle CBD.
It will have a direct impact on his family, which includes his wife and their two-year-old son.
“I commute from East Maitland, catch the 7.33am train to Newcastle, which arrives about 8.06am, ready for an 8.30am start.
“After the rail line is cut, there will be no public transport options that will allow me to commute to Newcastle for work.”
The replacement buses from Hamilton will add 30 to 40 minutes to the journey, Mr Horn said.
“ I cannot leave for work earlier because I have to drop off my son at daycare, which does not open until 7am.
“I will have to drive to work and this will cost my family an additional $320 per month.”
Parking near Newcastle CBD is limited and will cost a minimum $8.30 per day.
“This offsets the entire amount I used to spend on train fares.
“On top of that, there are fuel costs, and wear and maintenance costs for my vehicle, which will be at least $80 per week.”
Mr Horn urged other commuters to join the protest to have the decision to cut the rail reversed.
He has also taken his case to Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison.
“People can’t just get up half an hour earlier,” Ms Aitchison said.
“There are sometimes other constraints on their time.
“This decision will end up costing members of our community precious time with their families or add a great expense to their budgets.”
