NSW RURAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITIES TO BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED PUBLIC TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY

By Jeffrey Gibbs

Residents of rural and regional NSW are set to beneft from an investment of more than $2.09 million in improved and safer bus stops. This funding is part of the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS) which supports local councils and community groups to upgrade their bus stops. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the CPTIGS will see 475 bus stop improvement programs rolled out across 19 regional Local Government Areas, including the installation of useful aids such as guide rails, tactile ground surface indicators, security lighting, improved kerbside access, better timetable boards and new bus stop seating. Moreover, some locations may get new shelters providing greater protection from the elements and more comfort and security for those waiting for a bus.

These grants will fund councils and community groups to carry out the works, which include 122 new shelters and 353 bus stop upgrades. This is particularly benefcial for small towns and villages, as many people there rely on buses for their daily activities. Making bus stops safer and more accessible will improve the public transport experience in the region, and make it more accessible for those with vision or impairments and those in wheelchairs.

It will also beneft everyone who uses the public transport network, from school children and parents with prams to older people. The scheme is designed to support communities in regional NSW, and is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to more accessible public transport infrastructure across the state. For more information on CPTIGS including a breakdown of the latest round of funding, please visit the offcial website.

Overall, this funding is aimed at providing access to better and safer public transport in regional and rural NSW. The improved infrastructure will beneft all those who rely on buses to go to school, appointments or connect with larger regional centres and other modes of transport. It will also make public transport more accessible and comfortable for those with disabilities or impairments.