<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> NSW Opposition leader John Robertson on Monday said a NSW Labor government would commit to keep the Newcastle Rail Line open, with colleague Jenny Aitchison labelling the governmentâs plans to cut the line from Boxing Day âridiculousâ. </span> <p>Speaking at Maitland Railway Station, Robertson said Labor had listened and taken on board the overwhelming feedback from the Maitland community, which he said was that the rail line should stay.<br /><br />“People in Maitland [are] rightly fearful that the Liberals are planning to turn them into second-class transport citizens,” Robertson said.<br /><br />“Labor believes it is vital to retain direct rail connectivity between Newcastle and Maitland for the benefit of both cities – and if elected we will guarantee the Hunter rail network long-term certainty.  <br /><br />“I say to everyone in Maitland who uses the train to get to work. Every local family, every senior citizen and every person with a mobility impairment who relies on the train to enjoy a simple day out – we have ensured your concerns are heard.”<br /><br />Labor’s candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said: “The people of Maitland now have a very clear choice between a Liberal Government that wants to cut our rail line – and Labor that wants to keep it.<br /><br />“The position that Labor has locked in today offers this region long-term certainty over the rail line – and it is a win for the efforts of so many people in our community who believe passionately in public transport. <br /><br />“It is now obviously completely untenable for the Liberals to proceed with this ridiculous plan of cutting the rail line on Boxing Day.<br /><br />“Commuters travelling from Maitland to Newcastle should be spared the bother of contending with a bus timetable that Gladys Berejiklian hasn’t even designed yet.  <br /><br />“Commuters travelling from Maitland to Sydney over the summer holidays should be spared the indignity of getting off the train at Hamilton, switching to a bus that will take them one stop to Broadmeadow and then switching again for a train to Central.  <br /><br />“Now that Labor has put its plans on the table, the people of Maitland should be given the chance to choose which public transport vision they prefer at the March election.”<br /><br />The NSW Liberal government, which is currently in power, says it needs to cut the rail line before its planned light rail network for Newcastle is finished. Once the light rail is finished, it will theoretically provide the equivalent service to the existing line.</p>
