News

Train Timetable Changes for Central Coast & Newcastle and Hunter Lines from Sunday

today19 October 2024

Background

Starting 20 October 2024, major timetable changes will take effect for the Sydney to Newcastle (CCN) and Hunter (HUN) train lines. These adjustments, part of the largest overhaul in seven years, aim to improve punctuality, adapt to changing travel patterns post-pandemic, and better distribute services during peak and off-peak hours.

The revised timetable includes changes in departure times and frequency, with a focus on improving service reliability. Here’s a detailed look at the changes and how they will affect commuters on the CCN and HUN lines.

 

Key Changes to the CCN (Central Coast & Newcastle) Line

The adjustments on the CCN line aim to streamline services between Newcastle and Sydney, improving travel experiences and reducing congestion during peak times:

  1. Earlier Departures: Some trains now leave slightly earlier to improve punctuality and flow throughout the day. For instance, the 5:35 from Newcastle Interchange, will now leave at 05:33. This two-minute adjustment is part of broader efforts to keep the trains running on time. Similar small changes have been made to other services throughout the day to improve overall network efficiency.
  2. Peak-Hour Adjustments: Morning and evening peak services have been tweaked to reduce congestion, with some trains running slightly earlier or later than before. These adjustments aim to smooth out commuter traffic and improve connections at major hubs like Central Station and Hornsby. For example, the 07:21 service has been shifted to arrive slightly earlier at Central to better accommodate peak travel.
  3. Midday and Late-Evening Services: Several midday and late-evening services have been adjusted to offer more consistent timings.

Hunter (HUN) Line Adjustments

The changes to the Hunter Line focus on improving the connection between Newcastle and rural areas like Scone and Dungog. These adjustments ensure that trains better align with passenger demand and improve the overall reliability of the line.

  1. Morning Peak Changes: Early morning trains from Scone and Dungog have had minor time adjustments to better fit the schedule. For example, the 06:07 train from Scone to Newcastle Interchange remains, but with tighter timing at stops like Singleton and Maitland, ensuring the service runs more smoothly and reduces the risk of delays for commuters heading into Newcastle.
  2. More Efficient Midday Services: Midday services have also been adjusted to provide more reliable travel options between Maitland and Newcastle Interchange. For instance, the 12:37 service from Maitland has been optimized to better connect with other regional and intercity services, improving overall journey times.
  3. Late-Evening Options: The last trains leaving Newcastle Interchange to destinations such as Muswellbrook and Scone will depart slightly later.

 

Summary of Changes in Sydney

Significant changes to Sydney’s train network also accompany the adjustments to the CCN and HUN lines. These include:

  1. T1 Western Line: Stopping patterns have been simplified to increase service reliability, with additional services for stations west of Parramatta, such as Rooty Hill and Doonside. Some services have been moved from peak times to inter-peak periods, helping to spread demand more evenly throughout the day.
  2. T1 North Shore Line: Adjustments to train services between Chatswood and the CBD reflect a shift in demand due to the Metro. Passengers can still expect a train every 3-5 minutes during peak hours.
  3. T8 Airport & South Line: Morning peak services will increase from 14 to 16 trains per hour, providing more frequent connections for passengers from Revesby and stations south of Holsworthy. However, there will be two fewer trains through the Airport Tunnel during peak times.
  4. T2 Leppington & Inner West Line: This line will continue connecting Leppington and Parramatta to the Sydney CBD, with the new T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line offering more options via Regents Park.

These Sydney-wide changes are part of a broader network overhaul designed to accommodate shifts in commuter demand, improve reliability, and support the integration of new Metro services.

 

Reason for the Changes

These timetable adjustments have been implemented to address changes in passenger behavior following the pandemic and the opening of new Sydney Metro services. With a 46% decrease in North Shore Line patronage due to the Metro, Transport for NSW has redistributed services across the network to provide more consistent service and avoid overcrowding.

Additionally, the changes aim to make the train network more resilient to delays, with new patterns designed to ensure better recovery from disruptions. This is also part of the broader preparation for the introduction of the Mariyung Fleet, a set of new intercity trains that will further enhance the service quality in coming years.

 

Conclusion

Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and review the new timetable on transportnsw.info. The timetable adjustments, while seemingly minor in some cases, represent a significant shift in the operation of the network and will improve service reliability, ensuring smoother and more consistent travel across the region.

 

PDF Timetables

Sydney to Newcastle Intercity Line

93-CCN-Central-Coast-Newcastle-Line-NEW

93-CCN-Central-Coast-Newcastle-Line-OLD

 

Hunter Line

93-HUN-Hunter-Line-NEW

93-HUN-Hunter-Line-OLD

 

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Written by: Newy Staff


Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.

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