News archive
New summer timetable
CountryLink is introducing a summer timetable effective from Sunday 25 November 2007 until Saturday 29 March 2008.
During the hotter summer months, speed restrictions are imposed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the temporary summer timetable will ensure a more reliable service.
The timetable changes will affect the following train routes:
- Sydney - Melbourne
- Sydney - Canberra
- Sydney - Moree
Minor adjustments will also be made to the weekly XPLORER service to Griffith.
There will also be a number of changes to connecting CountryLink coach services. The major impact will be on connections to Sydney - Melbourne XPT services at Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga.
The latest timetable information can be found via our online booking system or timetable pages.
Customers who have already booked travel during the temporary timetable period will be notified of the changes by phone. When making a new booking, please make sure to leave your telephone number.
Changes to CountryLink fares
22-06-2007
From 1 September 2007 CountryLink fares will increase by 4.8 per cent. This is the first fare increase since November 2005 and reflects the rising cost of wages, electricity, fuel, steel and other necessities for running our services and operations.
There are also changes to the seasonal discounts moving from 40% to 30% in the Low Season and 20% to 15% in Shoulder Season.
Country Pension Excursion tickets are not affected and will remain at $2.50.
See the table below for examples of how some fares will change from 1 September.
| Journey |
Current full adult fare
|
From 1 Sept - full adult fare
|
||
|
First class
|
Economy
|
First class
|
Economy
|
|
| Sydney to Albury | $135.30 | $97.90 | $141.81 | $102.61 |
| Sydney to Armidale | $125.40 | $90.20 | $131.43 | $94.54 |
| Sydney to Dubbo | $103.40 | $74.80 | $108.38 | $78.40 |
| Sydney to Coffs Harbour | $125.40 | $90.20 | $131.43 | $94.54 |
| Sydney to Wagga Wagga | $119.90 | $84.70 | $125.67 | $88.77 |
| Sydney to Canberra | $75.90 | $53.90 | $79.56 | $56.50 |
| Sydney to Brisbane | $174.90 | $124.30 | $183.31 | $130.28 |
| Sydney to Melbourne | $174.90 | $124.30 | $183.31 | $130.28 |
RailCorp lost property auction
19-09-2007
Tens of thousands of items lost on CountryLink and CityRail trains and stations over the past seven months will go under the hammer from 9.30am on Tuesday 25 September.
Every day hundreds of commuters will leave personal possessions behind and every day hundreds of these items are handed in to our lost property office in the hope we can reunite them with their owners.
While every effort is made to return lost property to its owners hundreds of thousands of items from wallets, phones, bags and bikes remain homeless
Items up for sale include:
- mobile phones;
- bikes;
- laptops;
- digital cameras;
- walkmans and ipods;
- bags;
- jewellery;
- umbrellas;
- fishing rods;
- sporting equipment; and
- musical instruments.
The lost property auction is held in the basement area of Central Station and always attracts a large crowd, from members of the public happy to gawk, to the serious bargain hunters.
You can inspect items up for sale between 8.00am and 4.00pm on 24 September and from 8.00am on the morning of the auction. Or you can visit the auctioneer’s website for a sneak preview online.
Central Station western forecourt upgrade
26-04-2007
Changes to parking and traffic arrangements
Vehicle and pedestrian access to the western forecourt of Central Station will be limited while maintenance work takes place to waterproof the western forecourt car park and improve lighting in the area.
During the upgrade, customers are advised:
- Traffic will operate in one direction – entry via Hay Street ramp
- There will be no road access via Pitt Street
- Public parking will be limited
- Taxi ranks and loading zones will be relocated
The works will take place in three stages with each stage affecting a different area of the western forecourt car park bounded by Hay and Pitt streets.
CountryLink appreciates your patience and cooperation during this upgrade.
$42 million upgrade to XPT fleet
6-12-2006
In the latest of a series of upgrades to the CountryLink fleet, tenders have been called for a multi-million-dollar overhaul of XPT engines.
The five-year upgrade will see two major mechanical overhauls to each of our 19 diesel XPT engines and will be performed after 15,000 and 30,000 hours of service to ensure we keep delivering safe, reliable and comfortable services for our rural and regional passengers.
The engine upgrade comes as an addition to the $32 million upgrade of the entire CountryLink XPT fleet, currently underway, which has so far seen the interiors of 21 carriages refurbished.
Another $10 million will be spent to upgrade the CountryLink Xplorer-class carriages with tenders called in October to close later this month.
ANZAC Day 2007
18-04-2007
CountryLink is providing return travel to veterans, their families and armed services personnel wishing to attend ANZAC Day events in Sydney on Wednesday 25 April 2007. Customers must provide documentation of their status on the official letterhead of the local RSL when making their booking to obtain the concession.
CountryLink services will operate to normal timetables on ANZAC Day. For timetable information visit http://www.countrylink.info/timetables
Free travel will also be provided on CityRail services in the greater Sydney region. Visit the CityRail website for more information.
For more information about the Dawn Service and other ANZAC Day ceremonies visit the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.
End of summer timetable
22-03-2007
CountryLink's temporary summer timetable ends on 31 March 2007. From 1 April 2007, Southern and Western Line customers should refer back to the normal timetable. The latest timetable information can be found through the online booking engine and timetable pages.
The latest timetable information can now be found on this website's online booking engine and timetable pages.
New summer timetable
11-10-2006
We are introducing a new temporary summer timetable from 26 November to 31 March 2007 for the Sydney - Melbourne and Sydney - Canberra train routes.
The temporary timetable will ensure a more reliable service over the summer months when speed restrictions are introduced. These speed restrictions are imposed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation for safety reasons during summer months.
While the new timetable changes are designed to accommodate the extra journey times for a small number of train services they also result in a number of changes for connecting coach services. The major impact will be CountryLink coaches that connect to Sydney Melbourne XPT services at Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga. Minor adjustments will also be made to the weekly service to Griffith and Broken Hill.
The latest timetable information can now be found on this website's online booking engine and timetable pages.
Customers who have already booked travel during the temporary timetable period are being notified of the changes by phone.
When making a new booking, please make sure to leave your telephone number.
Changed ticketing arrangements for customers using wheelchairs and motor scooters
16-08-2006
The rules applying to passengers travelling on CountryLink trains with their wheelchairs or motor scooters have been changed.
Until now, it’s been the case that passengers who travel on our trains with motorised and non-collapsible wheelchairs or motor scooters and who choose to sit in a train seat have had to pay both for the seat and the space occupied by their mobility device.
A review of these rules was prompted by feedback from a customer. Following this review, CountryLink has introduced a new, more flexible policy. Customers travelling with this type of mobility device can now travel in a seat while their wheelchair or scooter is stored in a designated wheelchair space and only pay for one ticket.
There are some restrictions regarding the size of mobility devices so please make sure you check and book your seat well ahead of time by calling 13 22 32.
CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards 2006
08-08-2006
The CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards for 2006 were held at Wagga Wagga on Sunday 30 July. The awards night, attended by the NSW Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Sandra Nori, regional dignitaries and the cream of inland NSW regional tourism, proved to be very successful with the winners representing the diversity and quality of tourism products available in regional NSW.
CountryLink is proud to have been a supporter of these awards in excellence and looks forward to being involved again in 2007.
|
Tourist Attraction Winner: Junee Licorice & Chocolate factory Runner up: Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra Festivals & Events Eco-Tourism, Heritage & Cultural Tourism Destination & Product Marketing New Tourism Development Restaurant and Food Cellar Door Tourism Retailing Accommodation - Caravan Parks |
Accommodation - Deluxe Accommodation - Hosted Accommodation - Standard Accommodation - Unique Tourism & Transport Operator Registered Clubs Outstanding Visitor Information Centre Innovation |
Acceptance of Bankcard at CountryLink locations
31-07-2006
Westpac has advised that the use of Bankcard is being phased-out from 1 August 2006 and will cease altogether from 31 December 2006. Subsequently, from 1 August 2006, customers will not be able to use Bankcard as a form of payment onboard CountryLink trains or coaches. You will still be able to use your Bankcard to book at CountryLink sales outlets, online or over the phone until 31 December 2006. Bankcard Association of Australia press release.
More concession holders can now book online
18-07-2006
More concession holders can now book online From Tuesday 18 July 2006 more people than ever before will be able to book their CountryLink ticket online through the CountryLink website. NSW and Victorian pensioners as well as RailCorp employees will need to register in person at a CountryLink sales outlet before booking online for the first time. Once registered, please remember to select "concession" rather than "adult". Further information on who can book online.
Changes to Western Region timetables from 28 May 2006
18-05-2006
From Sunday 28 May 2006 there will be timetable changes affecting some CountryLink Western Region services.
- Sydney to Lithgow (weekends): the 5.18pm Sydney to Mount Victoria service now extends to Lithgow, stopping at Bell at 7.58pm and arriving at Lithgow at 8.18pm in time to meet the CountryLink coach service. However, this means the 5.48pm Central to Lithgow service - which didn’t meet the coach - now terminates at Mount Victoria at 8.11pm.
- Lithgow to Orange: the coach currently departing at 8.55pm on Saturdays and public holidays (service 567) will now depart Lithgow at 8.35pm and 20 minutes earlier from all stops to Orange, arriving into Orange at 10.50pm.
- Lithgow to Gulgong: the coach currently departing at 9.00pm on Sundays (service 575) will now depart Lithgow at 8.30pm and 30 minutes earlier from all stops to Gulgong, arriving into Gulgong at 11.25pm.
- Lithgow to Sydney: the CityRail train currently departing at 11.36am Mondays to Saturdays (service 506) will now depart at 11.33am. All other departure and arrival times remain unchanged.
- Sydney to Lithgow: the CityRail trains currently departing at 12.18pm (weekends and public holidays - service 529), 2.18pm (Sundays and public holidays - service 527) and 4.18pm (Sundays and public holiday - service 503 ) will now arrive into Lithgow 3 minutes later 3.13pm, 5.13pm and 7.13pm respectively. These services will also depart from Mt Victoria 2 minutes later than previously scheduled.
- Broken Hill to Dubbo: the daily coach service (service 516) will depart Wilcannia 5 minutes later at 6.15am and depart Emmdale 5 minutes earlier at 7.20am. All other departure and arrival times remain unchanged.
- Dubbo to Lithgow and Nyngan to Lithgow: the coach departing Dubbo Mondays Wednesdays and Saturdays (service 592) and Nyngan Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (service 570) will depart Molong 5 minutes earlier at 10.45am. All other departure and arrival times remain unchanged.
The timetable for customers travelling to Manildra, Cudal, Eugowra, Forbes, Parkes (coach services 519/520 and 521/522) and Bogan Gate, Yarrabandai, Ootha, Derriwong, Condobolin (coach services 523/524) will appear on a separate page in the new timetable.
Tickets issued for travel on CountryLink services from 28 may 2006 have the correct time printed on them.
CityRail’s timetable will also be changing from 28 May 2006. If you are connecting with a CityRail service, please visit www.cityrail.info to find out about these changes.
ANZAC Day 2006
19-04-2006
CountryLink is offering return travel for the price of a single ticket for ex-service personnel, widow/ers, dependants and their families from country NSW wishing to attend the Sydney march and commemoration service on Tuesday 25 April 2006. Customers are required to produce RSL documentation on official RSL letterhead when making their booking to obtain the concession.
Free travel will also be provided on CityRail services in the greater Sydney region. Visit the CityRail website for more information.
Report your lost property online
28-03-2006
Each year CountryLink customers leave thousands of items including umbrellas, backpacks and mobile phones on stations, trains and other railway property.
Now there’s a quick and easy way to get information about your misplaced items to our Lost Property office. Just go to our lost property page, complete the online form and press the "send" button.
If your missing treasure has been delivered to the Lost Property office, you’ll receive an email or phone call within the next working day, but please remember it often takes seven days for items to reach the office as they are held at stations for several days.
Did you know?
- Our Lost Property office received almost 20,000 items last year.
- Almost half of these - including computers, monitors, clothing, works of art - and a bobcat excavator - were auctioned in December, a tradition that began before World War II.
- The most common lost things people leave behind are mobile phones, umbrellas, bikes, wallets and backpacks
Level crossings - don't find out the hard way
27-02-2006
An advertising campaign designed to create awareness about the dangers of ignoring safety rules when using pedestrian level crossings was launched today in Wollongong.
The key message of the campaign is “to cross the tracks, always use the pedestrian level crossing” and Jonathan Benica, a 26-year-old man who was hit by a train when crossing railway tracks is helping get this message across. Jonathan also plays a key role in our Youth Safety Outreach program.
While many people are familiar with the need to obey safety rules when driving through level crossings, the dangers associated with pedestrians crossing railway lines are less understood. The aim of the campaign is to make sure people use pedestrian level crossings and stay alert and safe.
The $180,000 campaign includes radio and TV advertising, posters at stations and a letterbox drop of brochures explaining how to use pedestrian level crossings safely. While campaign is targeting people who live near level crossings in the Illawarra area to begin with, it’s planned to extend it to other areas in the future.
- Visit the Level Crossing Strategy Council’s website.
- More about Jonathan and the Youth Safety Outreach program
CountryLink to improve efficiency and customer options
27-09-2005
CountryLink is on the path towards improving efficiency while retaining existing services and offering customers more booking and payment options. More information regarding these reforms can be found at: http://www.countrylink.info/news/reform_program
Buying CountryLink tickets in Sydney
19-08-2005
Due to the upgrading of Town Hall Station, the CountryLink Travel Centre at Town Hall was closed on Friday 26 August 2005.
Following the announcement made on 27 September 2005 regarding reforms to CountryLink's Sales and Distribution area, this travel centre will not re-open. More information regarding these reforms can be found at: http://www.countrylink.info/news/reform_program
If you see something, say something
21-07-2005
CountryLink and CityRail are playing an important role in a campaign designed to encourage customers using NSW government trains, buses and ferries to report unattended baggage or suspicious activity. Because customers are familiar with their regular services, you could be among the first to notice anything untoward or unusual going on.
A public awareness campaign using the New York slogan “If you see something, say something” was launched after an official agreement between NSW and NYC transport officials.
So, if you see something suspicious on a train or station contact a staff member or transit officer or call the Police on 000.
CityRail is also undertaking a round of security preparations and upgrades involving at least six counter-terrorism exercises over the coming months. This program will include activities around Central, Eastern Suburbs, City Circle and North Sydney stations. Key staff will be taken through emergency scenarios covering existing plans, fire control and evacuation procedures. Staff responses will be measured against the stations’ emergency plans for explosions, fires and disabled trains in underground tunnels.
We are continually reviewing security preparedness including the removal of waste bins which present an opportunity for hiding objects.
Railway art competition for young people
18-07-2005
CountryLink is celebrating 150 years of NSW rail transport is asking young people to help design the future of the Devonshire Street tunnel at Sydney’s Central Station by exploring our railway heritage.
Visit the RailCorp website for more details.
Welcome to our new website
26-05-2005
Looking for up-to-date information about CountryLink services as well as the opportunity to book and pay for your journey online? Well you’ve come to the right place. We’ve updated and enhanced the information previously available so it now includes everything you need to know to plan, book and pay for your journey.
New features include:
- more detailed information about CountryLink services and facilities;
- timetables that can be viewed and printed - page at a time;
- real time alerts about service disruptions;
- details about the regions CountryLink visits and links to local tourism organisations;
- handy travel tips including luggage limits, types of tickets and concessions accepted; and
- train specifications and pictures, including downloadable desktop wallpapers featuring our new XPT and Xplorer livery.
The most important enhancement is the first stage of a project to enable some passengers to book and pay online and receive tickets via e-mail. At present this service is limited to full adult fares, half fares for children, students, holders of Job Search cards, pensioners and seniors, family fares, infants, retired NSW transport employees and travel passes for international visitors. However, it’s anticipated all our customers with internet access will be able to use the website to book and pay for tickets towards the end of this year.
So please take a good look through our new site and don’t forget to use the feedback form to tell us what you think.
Dubbo in a day
13-10-2004
People along the CountryLink coach route between Lightning Ridge and Gilgandra can now spend the day in Dubbo on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, thanks to a revised timetable. This service leaves Lightning Ridge at 5.50am, stopping in Walgett, Coonamble, Gulargambone and Gilgandra along the way and arriving in Dubbo at 10.25am. This gives people four hours to visit family and friends or keep business or medical appointments before the return coach leaves at 2.30pm. The old timetable had a turnaround time of just 45 minutes which meant passengers really needed to spend the night in Dubbo.
Dubbo - Lightning Ridge - Dubbo coach timetable
| Coach 513 | Daily | Coach 514 | Tue Wed Thu | Sun Mon Fri Sat |
| Dubbo | 14.30 | Lightning Ridge | 05.50 | 08.50 |
| Gilgandra | 15.20 | Walgett | 06.50 | 09.50 |
| Gulargambone | 15.50 | Coonamble | 08.00 | 11.00 |
| Coonamble | 16.20 | Gulargambone | 08.50 | 11.50 |
| Walgett | 17.55 | Gilgandra | 09.30 | 12.30 |
| Lightning Ridge | 18.5 | Dubbo | 10.25 | 13.25 |
Reservations are essential so please phone CountryLink on 13 22 32 for more information and to book your ticket or visit the CountryLink Travel Centre at Dubbo Railway Station, Talbragar St, Dubbo, ph: (02) 6884 2511. Please make sure you are at the coach stop at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
