As part of the work being done to revamp New South Wales’ long-running XPT rail fleet, coaches will run instead of the 35 Sydney to Grafton and 36 Grafton to Sydney from April 28, 2025.
The daily Grafton coach services will run for 12 months in place of the 5.15am Grafton to Sydney and the 11.44am Sydney to Grafton services.
These coaches will not stop at all stations, to keep travel time as close to the train trip as possible.
Coach timetable
Express services:
– 151 Sydney to Grafton: Departs at 11.35am and arrives at 9.55pm
– 152 Grafton to Sydney: Departs at 5.25am and arrives at 3.45pm
Selected stops services:
– 153 Sydney to Grafton: Departs at 11.30am and arrives at 10.35pm
– 154 Grafton to Sydney: Departs at 4.15am and arrives at 3.20pm.
Sydney to Brisbane and Sydney to Casino trains will still operate during this time.
The temporary change will make the XPT fleet, which has been in service for 43 years, available for maintenance and refurbishment.
The fleet upgrades will be carried out locally in NSW by Sydney Trains and include extensive mechanical work to improve service reliability, new carpeting and refurbished seats, work to improve operation of the air conditioning and toilets and a repaint and refurbishment of the power cars.
North coast-based Forest Coach Lines has been contracted to provide the replacement coach services, using two NSW TrainLink branded coaches which will be air conditioned and have toilet facilities.
Two wheelchair accessible coach services options will be available with express run or selected stops service in place of the regular XPTs between Sydney and Grafton.
Read more: Upgrades in store for ageing XPT rail fleet
NSW TrainLink Acting Chief Executive Yvonne Hinch said the Sydney-Grafton coach service alongside the XPT Life Extension Project is aimed at improving the overall travel experience for passengers.
“The work we are doing on the XPTs, from overhauling the mechanical systems to refreshing interiors and essential amenities, will mean passengers, can look forward to a cleaner, more comfortable, and dependable journey,” she said.
“These passengers include those who use our services between Grafton and Sydney services, who will experience a temporary change in mode of transport, with the intention to return train services on that route at the end of that period.
“By carefully implementing this temporary service change, we aim to keep journey times reasonable while maximising connections with other public transport modes, including with other NSW TrainLink services.”
Regular train services are expected to return in April 2026.
