Newcastle Transport Explained
Newcastle Transport is a public transport operator in Newcastle, New South Wales. A subsidiary of Keolis Downer, it operates bus, ferry and light rail services under contract to Transport for NSW.
History and operations
In November 2015, the Government of New South Wales announced its intention to contract out the operation of Newcastle Buses & Ferries services to the private sector.[1] [2] Keolis Downer and a Transit Systems/UGL Rail consortium announced their intentions to bid.[3] [4] In December 2016, a ten-year contract was awarded to Keolis Downer effective from 1 July 2017.[5] [6]
Ticketing
All public transport services under Newcastle Transport utilise the Opal ticketing system.
Services
Bus
See main article: Buses in Newcastle, New South Wales. In January 2018, the bus route network was completely redesigned with the number of routes reduced from 27 to 21.[7] [8] In the same year, Newcastle Transport began trialling an on-demand bus service[9] within the Lake Macquarie area, servicing the suburbs of Dudley, Mount Hutton and Warners Bay.[10]
Newcastle Transport commenced operations with a fleet of 172 MAN, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo buses.[11] Buses are operated out of depots in Belmont and Hamilton.
In February 2023, Newcastle Transport began using zero emission electric buses built by Bustech on the ZDI-450 electric integral chassis.[12]
Ferry
See main article: Stockton ferry service. Newcastle Transport operates a passenger ferry service that takes five minutes to cross the Hunter River between Queens Wharf and Stockton. The 1986 built ferries are MV Hunter and MV Shortland.
Light rail
See main article: Newcastle Light Rail. Newcastle Transport operates the Newcastle Light Rail between Newcastle Interchange and Newcastle Beach station in Newcastle East with six CAF Urbos 3 trams. The light rail opened in February 2019.[13] [14]
Notes and References
- http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/building-tomorrows-newcastle-new-approach-transport Building tomorrows Newcastle: A New Approach to Transport
- https://web.archive.org/web/20160616030104/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/building-tomorrows-newcastle-new-approach-transport Transport for Newcastle: private operator to integrate city’s public transport
- https://web.archive.org/web/20161009172209/http://www.smh.com.au/business/keolis-downer-eyes-acquisitions-ahead-of-newcastle-public-transport-bid-20151203-glei52.html Keolis Downer eyes acquisitions ahead of Newcastle public transport bid
- https://web.archive.org/web/20161111164659/http://transitsystems.com.au/all-latest-news/item/transit-systems-and-ugl-announce-intention-to-jointly-bid-for-newcastle-iso Transit Systems and UGL announce intention to jointly bid for Newcastle iso
- https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4349836/keolis-downer-awarded-contract-to-run-newcastle-public-transport-gallery/?cs=305 Keolis Downer awarded contract to run light rail, buses and ferries says Baird government
- https://web.archive.org/web/20170810092011/http://keolisdowner.com.au/?p=8988 Downer awarded Newcastle Transport Contract
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180112101503/https://transportnsw.info/news/2017/newcastle-timetables-to-change Newcastle timetables to change
- https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160111/http://www.newcastletransport.info/the-new-way#overview-anchor Transport changes
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190218064501/https://newcastletransport.info/latest-updates/news-and-events/newcastle-transport-launches-on-demand Newcastle Transport Launches on Demand Service
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190218141914/https://www.newcastletransport.info/on-demand Newcastle Transport On Demand Information
- Newcastle: all change Australian Bus issue 83 September 2017 page 12
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230401055650/https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/2302/newcastle-transport-begins-journey-with-first-electric-bus Newcastle Transport begins journey with first electric bus
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190131093400/https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/its-a-date-free-community-open-day-for-newcastle-light-rail-on-17 It's a date – free community open day for Newcastle Light Rail on 17 February
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122512/https://transportnsw.info/news/2019/light-rail-in-newcastle-opening-from-monday-18-february Light rail in Newcastle opening from Monday 18 February
