Opposition Leader John Robertson wants Maitland voters to have their say on the Newcastle rail cut at the polls in March.
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Mr Robertson said he was buoyed by Sunday’s rally when he spoke to the Mercury yesterday.
“The turnout was sensational and it sends a very powerful message to the government from the people,” he said.
“The people of Maitland deserve to have this line operating or, at the very least, to pass judgement on this government.”
The state government has committed to cutting services on the Hunter line from December 26 so that it can build a Wickham transport interchange and open up the Newcastle waterfront.
A growing number of people want the work delayed until after the election, including those committee members responsible for a parliamentary inquiry into Hunter planning decisions.
Preliminary findings of that inquiry are due to be released on Friday.
“The message I have been giving everyone is ‘don’t give up’,” Mr Robertson said. “A vote for Labor is a vote to save the rail line.”
Buses will replace trains out of Broadmeadow Station from Boxing Day, then Hamilton in the new year until the Wickham interchange is built.
For Maitland people, Newcastle provides jobs at the proposed University of Newcastle CBD campus and at the new law courts now under construction as well as employment in construction.
“With these growing job opportunities it needs to be easier to access those jobs,” Mr Robertson said.
“This is a decision that’s going to make travel out of Maitland longer and less convenient.”
Mr Robertson warned that the rail truncation would be bad for the environment and family budgets.
“You’ll see more traffic congestion on the roads when parking is already at a premium in Newcastle,” he said.
“[Maintaining the line] is going to save Maitland people hundreds of dollars every year if they’re not forced to drive.”
