Newcastle Interchange is open for business, creating a new gateway for the city that links all public transport in one spot.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance opened the $200 million multi-modal transport interchange today, a key part of the Revitalising Newcastle program that will allow easy transfers between trains, buses, private vehicles, taxis, cycling and the light rail when it commences operating in 2019.
“This is a great day for Newcastle, one of Australia’s great cities,” Mr Constance said.
“It is a reflection of the NSW Government’s commitment to the revitalisation of Newcastle, which began with the truncation of the heavy rail in 2014.”
Newcastle Interchange is a major component of the $650million-plus Revitalising Newcastle program, a multi-agency NSW Government program tasked with delivering a suite of transport and urban transformation projects in the city centre.
“The interchange project is about much more than a new building. It also includes
new train stabling and turn-back facilities to the east of Hamilton Station, signalling work, a new pedestrian bridge and staff facilities,” Mr Constance said.
Passenger services began operating from the interchange on Sunday 15 October.
“The target opening date for the Newcastle Interchange was November 2017. A combination of good planning, dry weather and the cooperation of the surrounding community has allowed us to open the interchange a few weeks ahead of schedule,” Mr Constance said.
In 2019 Light rail will be up and running from Newcastle Interchange to Pacific Park, and will be complemented by a new fleet of intercity trains delivering a higher standard of comfort and reliability for customers.