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

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

As a business owner in Newcastle for more than 18 years, this really made me upset. 

Public transport difficulties are not what businesses want nor does the community.

I’m a business that supports keeping the intercity trains to Newcastle station.

The truncation of Newcastle rail on Boxing Day is very concerning to businesses. Our customers come from all over Australia, and a lot come from Maitland and Hunter come by the train as it is seamless.

The impact of the closure of the rail will really hurt businesses who are already struggling. It’s a tough year for small businesses, so much uncertainty federally, that we really do not need uncertainty from NSW government! Which, sadly, I think we do have uncertainty, as there has been no business case for light rail. There is no traffic modelling nor cost benefit analysis.

The NSW government prides itself on improving public transport, but losing 23 per cent patronage will not improve it. We need people wanting to come to Newcastle, not avoid coming here because the public transport after truncation will make it hard for them.

- Bobbie Antonic, Newcastle