Newcastle’s light rail service last Friday celebrated its one millionth customer since launching in February this year.
The customer, a regular light rail commuter, works in Newcastle CBD. He had tapped on at the Newcastle Interchange on his way to the Queens Wharf stop when he and fellow commuters aboard the next departing tram were presented with gift bags to mark the milestone.
Keolis Downer Hunter general manager, Mark Dunlop said that on average the light rail moves over 3620 people a day and over 46 per cent are connecting with bus, ferry and train, as part of an integrated journey.
“We now have a truly integrated network for Newcastle with light rail, bus and ferry services in the city and it is encouraging more people to get on board public transport.
“The light rail makes it easy to connect with other modes of transport whether the ferry at Queens Wharf, buses adjacent to the Honeysuckle and Newcastle Interchange stops and trains to the Hunter and Central Coast from the Interchange.”
NSW Upper House member for the Hunter, Taylor Martin, said that it was clear light rail had changed how people moved around the city.
“Novocastrians are making light rail part of their daily lives,” Martin said.
“The light rail allows office workers to travel to nearby precincts quicker and easier to get to meetings or on their lunch breaks.”
“Patronage has been steadily increasing on weekends and families are definitely taking advantage of light rail to get out and about to explore the Newcastle CBD during school holidays.”