Staff at Hamilton railway station have been instructed not to hold connecting services between the Hunter and Newcastle/Central Coast lines at peak times during the week, internal documents show.
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According to a January 14 NSW Trainlink memo to staff, no trains will be held on weekdays between the 7.17am and 8.36am services and between the 6.32pm and 9.21pm services.
The memo, which Labor released yesterday, noted that staff would be allowed to hold the last Dungog service for the day at 5.32pm and the final train to Scone at 6.02pm if connecting trains were late.
“The Hamilton truncation has effectively minimised path availability which in turn impacts on the time available to hold train services for connections,” the memo noted.
“Previously, departing Hunter Valley services could be held at Hamilton waiting for arriving trains from Sydney to enable customers to change trains.
“The reverse also happened with Sydney-bound trains being held at Hamilton waiting for trains arriving from the Hunter Valley.
“Continuing to do this is not viable and the timetable cannot be maintained during the peak times.”
Opposition transport spokeswoman Penny Sharpe said this would cause blow-outs in waiting times for commuters at stations such as Metford, Beresfield and Maitland.
Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said the issue was a particular concern for commuters starting back at work and school for the year.
“It is clear that the Liberals have no idea about the needs of the Maitland community and the disruption the cuts to the rail line would cause local residents,” she said.
“The news that trains are no longer waiting at Hamilton station will infuriate Maitland and Upper Hunter commuters already annoyed about the secrecy of the Baird government.”
The government closed the heavy rail line into Newcastle CBD late last year despite a high court injunction on work beginning without an Act of Parliament.
Trains have been replaced by a shuttle bus service between Hamilton and Newcastle stations since the closure.
Numerous new pedestrian crossings over the disused train tracks opened to the public yesterday, ahead of schedule.