Newcastle to receive 44 new buses as Central Coast connections expand

newy.com.au – Newcastle is due to receive 44 new buses from early 2027, while services linking Charlestown and the Central Coast will run for longer under changes announced by the NSW Government.

Express Coaches is building the bus bodies in Macksville using Volvo Australia chassis. The government says the vehicles will be fully accessible and the work supports about 66 manufacturing jobs in NSW.

“I will be pleased to see 44 new buses servicing local routes early next year, fit-for-purpose with real-time passenger information and improved safety technology,” Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said.

The timetable changes are due to begin on Sunday 22 November 2026 and form part of 187 additional weekly services for the Central Coast.

Route 99, between Lake Haven and Charlestown, will operate for longer seven days a week, with additional direct services through Lake Munmorah, Catherine Hill Bay and Swansea. New Sunday services will run to Catherine Hill Bay and Swansea, and the more direct route will replace route 2118.

The government says Route 99 will provide better connections to Newcastle bus services at Swansea. Additional trips will also give Catherine Hill Bay students more options to travel to local schools, including Swansea High School.

Minister for the Hunter and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley welcomed the changes for Catherine Hill Bay.

“It is important that Catherine Hill Bay has modern, connected public transport services and I am very pleased that under our plan the area will have better connections and buses running on Sundays.”

Elsewhere on the Central Coast, routes 67 and 68, serving Gosford, Terrigal, North Avoca and Wamberal, will have longer operating hours every day. Together, the routes will provide a service every 30 minutes until late at night, followed by hourly services until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Route 55, between Ettalong and Gosford via Woy Woy, will have selected night trips and all Sunday trips extended between Woy Woy and Gosford. Sunday services on that section will run hourly, while Friday and Saturday departures from Gosford will continue until about 11pm.

The government says it has introduced 663 additional weekly school and regular route services across Newcastle and the Hunter since March 2023. Those changes have included new or expanded connections in Minmi, Glendale, Kotara, Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Medowie, Stockton and Hexham.