The revised trial of roll on/rolloff (no boxing) of bicycles on Trainlink regional services commenced on Monday 4 August and will last for 3 months. Key changes are:
- With unboxed bicycles people can get off and on at Central (Sydney), Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo. The first trial was only getting on or off at Sydney and Dubbo, and .
- People can make a booking 7 days a week.
Experience to date as single rider or pair has been great, with helpful and competent staff both at the station and on the train. This makes all the difference. Getting on and off the train can be done quickly, the key thing is know where to stand when boarding.
The trial is being conducted on the Sydney-Dubbo line only.
The trial has two spaces available, and Trainlink has stated it is not a trial of demand, but rather checking how the system might work. Cyclists are strongly encouraged to participate in the trial and give feedback both to Trainlink and ourselves through the CWC group Facebook or info@centralwestcycletrail.com.au.
Getting off at Dubbo puts you straight onto the Central West Cycle Trail, or getting off at Orange gives you the choice of heading up to the CWC through Molong, or veering south to do the Lachlan Valley Trail. Of course it also allows the commuter from Orange or Bathurst now to take their bicycle to Sydney or vice versa.
The CWCT will continue to work for further improvements. We believe that moves need to be made to:
- Bring Lithgow into the trial as it has a regular suburban rail service that people can come and go on. If you live in Penrith you do not want to be going back into Central to put your bicycle on, only to find yourself back at Penrith on your trip west. And similarly unstaffed stations such as Tarana, Millthorpe, Stuart Town, Geurie and Wellington should be part of the trial. The main area assistance need is on-train related rather than station related.
- Create sufficient ‘flexible space’ on the XPT so that groups of 8 or more cyclists can be catered for. There are a number of immediate options here. This would serve as a template for the new fleet.
- A particularly urgent priority is having regional Trainlink buses carry bikes (rack at the rear or luggage area – has been done) and the wider question of e-bikes. E-bikes are a rapidly growing sector!
To find out more about the trial go to:
Trainlink Bike Trial Information
and for Departmental press release:
Roll into spring with revamped trial of bikes on Dubbo XPT | Transport for NSW