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newy.com.au – The John Hunter Hospital Shuttle Bus service has marked one year since its reinstatement, with local MPs Sonia Hornery and Tim Crakanthorp praising the success of the service in reducing traffic congestion and easing access to the hospital. The shuttle, which operates between John Hunter Hospital and McDonald Jones Stadium, has completed over 33,000 passenger journeys since resuming operations in July 2024.
Running every 30 minutes, the service allows hospital staff, patients and visitors to park at the stadium and take a direct shuttle to the hospital entrance, helping to alleviate the long-standing issue of limited hospital parking. Two buses and a mobility van currently operate the route, with the van offering accessible transport for frail and mobility-impaired passengers.
Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said, “It has been wonderful having the John Hunter Hospital Shuttle Bus service reinstated between the Stadium and the Hospital, providing thousands of passengers an opportunity to access stress free parking at McDonald Jones Stadium and a quick ride up the hill to the Hospital.”
The service is used by approximately 140 people daily on weekdays, removing between 48 and 138 cars from the road each day, depending on the number of vehicles parked at the stadium. The mobility van has also completed more than 2,500 trips over the year, contributing to improved access for vulnerable passengers.
Ms Hornery added, “Seeing 50 to 100 cars taken off the road daily improves traffic, is better for the environment and is ultimately providing easier commuting for hospital staff, patients and visitors. I want to thank the Member for Newcastle and the Minister for Health, Ryan Park, for their support in bringing this service back.”
The shuttle was previously cancelled by the former Liberal National Government in 2015, but was reinstated following lobbying efforts by Hornery and Crakanthorp ahead of the 2023 NSW State Election.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said, “The return of the John Hunter Hospital Shuttle Bus has been a fantastic success, giving the community the option to get to their appointments without the stress of parking.”
He added, “I often drive past the stadium and there are always plenty of cars parked and people using the service. It’s clear from the 33,000 passenger journeys that this service was desperately needed and is highly valued by our community.”
Both MPs said the service will continue to grow as awareness increases among the public.
newy.com.au - City of Newcastle welcomed the public back inside the Newcastle Art Gallery today, unveiling the first completed spaces of its expansion at the Laman Street site and offering a preview timed to the opening day of the New Annual festival. The partial reopening gives locals an early […]
