A FREE shuttle bus service in the Tomaree area will be discontinued after trials returned what Port Stephens Council determined were disappointing results.
In 2025 and 2026, Port Stephens Council funded shuttle bus trials throughout Birubi Headland, Anna Bay and the Tomaree Peninsula.
The shuttles were intended to be used by visitors and residents, alleviating traffic congestion during peak holiday periods and encouraging motorists to park off-site.
According to Cr Peter Francis, however, the experiment was not particularly successful.
“The most cars I saw parked [at the Salamander Bay Sports Complex] were eight vehicles, two of which belonged to the drivers of two buses.”
While supportive of reducing the impact of vehicles on the environment, Cr Roz Armstrong said that “one of the most disappointing outcomes of last year’s trial was […] the lack of motorists taking up the park and ride opportunity.”
Cr Mark Watson was the strongest advocate of continuing the service, pointing out that the shuttles were used by more than two thousand passengers and received positive community feedback.
“A secondary trial would allow for more robust data to be collected, reinforcing the need for further transport options across our headland during those peak periods,” Cr Watson said.
Several Councillors, including Cr Paul Le Mottee and Cr Chris Doohan, suggested levying local businesses to fund future shuttle bus operations.
A short-notice 13-day trial in the upcoming holiday season, however, would require a $42,000 investment taken from smart parking funds.
While smart parking can bring Council hundreds of thousands of dollars during peak periods, Cr Giacomo Arnott objected to their use.
“This is money that could go into improving footpaths, curbs, place-making, gardens, any sort of project that actually improves the CBD areas where the smart parking is in place,” he said.
Mayor Leah Anderson also opposed another trial, citing community feedback.
“The community didn’t once mention that they wanted to put smart parking in, and then use that money for a bus,” she said.
“We’ve made an exception once and dipped into smart parking funds to see whether the bus would work, but for all intents and purposes […] I don’t feel that this is a success.”
With Cr Watson, Cr Doohan and Cr Le Motte being the only Councillors to advocate for a continuation, no more trials will take place; however, alternative options might be explored in the future.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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