JENNY AITCHISON
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND ROADS

STEVE WHAN
MEMBER FOR MONARO

MEDIA RELEASE - ALPINE BUS HELPS VISITORS GO WITH THE SNOW

Vision and audio grabs available to download here

A dedicated Snowy Mountains bus service proved popular with holidaymakers who chose to ditch the car and hop on the bus to the snow fields this year.

Since the trial was expanded from weekends to seven days a week, patronage of the bus service operated by local contractor Cooma Coaches was more than five times higher, up from 15,000 customer journeys in 2022 to almost 80,000 journeys in 2023.

The trial service was introduced as a safe and affordable alternative to driving from Jindabyne to and from the snow fields in poor weather conditions, icy roads or heavy traffic. Along with being a convenient choice for passengers, the bus offering helped ease traffic congestion, reduce travel times and improve access for workers, visitors and locals.

According to TfNSW data, the 2023 season saw an estimated 70% reduction in incidents compared to 2022, thanks to more favourable conditions and a shorter snow season as well as with the introduction of the alpine bus.

Passenger feedback was overwhelmingly positive with 95 per cent indicating they would use the service again, describing the drivers as friendly and helpful.

Many visitors also commented on how economical the bus is, saving money on car hire, parking fees and snow chains.

Adult return tickets from Jindabyne to Perisher or Thredbo started at $21 while concession tickets cost $11 and family tickets cost $57.

Season passes were the most economical option for avid snow goers, enabling unlimited trips over the 16-week season for a flat fee of $400.

Ticket sales revealed that the service was used by people from all ages and stages with 63 per cent adult tickets sold, 17 per cent student tickets, 11 per cent child tickets, 6 per cent seniors/concession tickets and 3 per cent family tickets.

The bus service linked snow-goers in Jindabyne, East Jindabyne, Tyrolean Village and Bullocks Flat with popular Perisher and Thredbo ski resorts and ran seven days a week every hour, and half-hour during Friday to Sunday peak periods.

Customers with a return bus ticket also had access to free car parking at Station Resort and a free shuttle bus from there to the Snowy Mountains bus service as part of the Park & Ride service.

Transport for NSW are currently reviewing feedback from the trial and working with key regional partners to determine how the service can be improved further.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“It’s brilliant to see customers choosing to leave their cars at home and take advantage of this reliable, safe and affordable public transport option to get to the slopes.

“The feedback I’m hearing from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Visitors are saying it’s an easy and affordable transport option and the drivers have been incredibly friendly and helpful.

“Anything that means less time trying to find a parking spot and more time enjoying the slopes is a win for the community.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“The Snowy Mountains Bus Service trial was a huge success and I’m looking forward to seeing it continue next snow season.

“It has been a great initiative that saw a welcome relief for traffic and parking within the resort areas.”

Transport for NSW Chief Customer Officer Roger Weeks said:

“Given the success of the trial it's certainly an initiative we'll look to continue. Now the ski season has wrapped up we’ll evaluate feedback from passengers and work with local operators to continue improving on the service.

“We started this service with safety front of mind, to take the stress off drivers who might not have much experience driving in the snow.

“Most incidents in the alpine region during the snow season are caused by driver error. It’s pleasing to see that road incidents were down on last year, thanks in part to more favourable conditions on the road, a shorter snow season and safety initiatives like the alpine bus service.

“Our local bus drivers hold snow accreditation and have experience navigating alpine roads in tricky conditions, so passengers can trust they are in safe hands.”

MEDIA:

Wendy Fitzgibbon | Minister Aitchison | 0408 427 540

Laura Adam | Minister Whan | 0439 769 168