While the new Hamilton bus exchange is an interim measure for commuters after the rail line is cut at Wickham, there will be another interim measure put in place for the first 10 days after the line closes.
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Transport for NSW said making train commuters change to buses at Broadmeadow from Boxing Day to January 5 was unavoidable.
It will allow significant upgrades to Hamilton Station before it becomes the base for a new bus network into the city for the next two years until the light rail system is built.
A department spokesman said the Hamilton upgrade would include a 24-metre extension of the northern platform to allow eight-car trains to terminate there, modifications to signalling and overhead wiring, track configuration and sign changes, as well as new staff facilities.
He said new CCTV cameras, fences, walkways, lighting and passenger information displays would also be installed and a train stabling facility would be built on the existing tracks.
“Some work will be done during track-work before Boxing Day, but the majority needs to be done over a longer period while trains are not operating,” the spokesman said.
“A 10-day shutdown from Boxing Day is required to carry out the work.”
Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said keeping the rail line was the only way to guarantee a seamless journey into the city.
“Maitland commuters will be rightly furious that the government plans to force them off at Broadmeadow between December 26 and January 5,” she said.
“The Liberals know they are handing Maitland and the Upper Hunter a two-year bus sentence – and this is why Gladys Berejiklian has been unable to face our region for the last several months.”
Transport Minister and Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian announced this week that there would be buses every 10 minutes during peak travel times to replace trains after the Newcastle line was permanently closed from Wickham.
