The state opposition believes the latest Transport for NSW figures prove that the rail line into Newcastle should be retained.

Transport Minister and Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian announced yesterday that satisfaction of train, bus and ferry commuters had risen across the state in the 12 months to May, 2014.

The latest Transport for NSW ­statistics came from responses to a survey of 34,000 public transport users state-wide.

It focused on timeliness, safety, security, ticketing, comfort, accessibility, cleanliness and customer service.

According to the data, 92 per cent of train travellers on the Hunter line were partly to very satisfied with the overall service.

This was the best result of any region, with the South Coast coming in second at 90 per cent.

The worst result was for the Carlingford line in Sydney, with 21 per cent of commuters partly to very unsatisfied with the overall service.

“Since we came to office in 2011 the NSW government has made customer service a key priority, and today’s results show we continue to make important improvements that are being noticed by our best critics – our regular customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We know we still have plenty of work to do, but overall people using public transport are telling us they are seeing improvements.

“We will use this feedback to ensure we see even better results again next year.”

But opposition spokeswoman for the Hunter Sonia Hornery said the results showed that Hunter commuters wanted the rail line into Newcastle retained.

“If train services are cut at Broadmeadow – people know that delays and disruption to journey times into Newcastle will be immense,” she said.

“From the feedback to me in the street, people are pleading with the Liberals to keep the rail line.

“We still have no idea from Gladys Berejiklian as to what replacement buses will run, where they will stop, whether the buses will be wheelchair accessible – and how much they will cost.”

Ms Hornery raised a motion in parliament on Wednesday to debate Labor’s proposed transport plan for the Hunter, which was announced on Monday.

But the government voted to prevent the debate in the lower house.