TRANSPORT authorities say Hunter train services will not take a significant hit in a timetable overhaul to accommodate Sydney's new metro line later this month.
People in regional and outer parts of the state have been advised to check public transport services as changes come into effect on October 20 to train, bus and coach timetables.
The changes are being made to support the final Metro conversion of the T3 Bankstown Line.
Keolis Downer Hunter general manager Emmanuel Genlot said minor changes to Newcastle Transport bus timetables, including school services, would ensure buses maintain connections to the new rail timetables and improve reliability.
"From next week, we're making some tweaks to bus timetables, including school services, to maintain connections to trains and make sure services are on time for customers," Mr Genlot said.
"While most trips have been adjusted by only a few minutes, there are some trips that have been adjusted by up to 10 minutes.
"Some school services will be starting earlier in the morning to make sure students are getting to school well before the bell time and in the afternoon some school trips will be departing from schools closer to the bell time."
While some parts of Sydney will see major timetable changes, the flow-on effect for regional and outer-metro passengers will include adjustments to Intercity train services on the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle, Hunter and Southern Highlands train lines.
There will be timing tweaks and changes to some stopping patterns, but Intercity trains will remain at least as frequent as they are now.
Intercity services on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line will continue at the current frequency, with some minor timing adjustments.
Some trains will overtake suburban trains at Epping in the off peak, which should improve journey times for long distance passengers.
There will be more consistent stopping patterns on trains, while Wyong to Narara passengers will need to interchange at Gosford for services to Wondabyne, Hawkesbury River and Cowan during the morning peak.
Bus timetables in Newcastle will align with the new train times and take traffic conditions into account to improve punctuality, with no trip expected to be impacted by more than 10 minutes.
Students and their families are being encouraged to check their school services using the Trip Planner or visiting the Newcastle Transport website before the changes come into play on October 21.
Mr Genlot said all customers should be aware of the changes and plan ahead before new timetables are introduced.
"Our customer service officers are also available to provide personalised assistance about the changes," he said.
Alterations have been made to the bus timetable on several routes on the Central Coast and at Lake Macquarie to align with train timetable changes.
The tweaks will maintain connections to Cardiff, Fassifern, Gosford, Morisset, Ourimbah, Tuggerah, Woy Woy, Wyee and Wyong stations.
Intercity train services on the Hunter Line will be retained at the current service frequency with minor timing adjustments to maintain direct connections for passengers interchanging to the Central Coast and Newcastle Line at Hamilton.
A timetable adjustment will be made on bus route 24, Wallsend to Marketown via Mayfield, to align with the rail timetables changes.
There will also be some minor timing changes to selected NSW TrainLink booked regional train and coach services which will be updated in the online reservation system.
Affected passengers will be contacted.
For more information on changes to Newcastle services visit newcastletransport.info.
