A new trial across regional New South Wales is set to broaden the role of community transport services, with the aim of helping more people access education, training and employment opportunities.
The initiative will test expanding eligibility beyond traditional users of community transport—such as seniors, pensioners, people with accessibility needs, and those with limited access to public transport—to include people who are transport disadvantaged and need to travel to face-to-face study or work commitments.
Under the trial, Transport for NSW will fund 16 community transport providers to support people with limited or no access to private or public transport who need to attend TAFE NSW, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), or travel to apprenticeships and traineeships.
The program will be tailored to local community needs and delivered through established local organisations already operating in the community transport sector.
Transport for NSW’s Anthony Hayes said improving access to reliable transport remains a key challenge in regional areas.
“This trial is a valuable test-and-learn opportunity, helping us understand how community transport can better connect more people to education and employment, while continuing to support those who already rely on these services today.”
He said the expanded approach could help open up new opportunities for people seeking to build skills and long-term careers.
“By extending community transport to support access to training, apprenticeships and further education, the trial could open new pathways for people and help them build new skills and secure long-term employment.”
The trial will be closely monitored, with ongoing feedback from both customers and providers expected to shape future decisions about whether the model is expanded more broadly across the state.
It is time-limited and will run until 30 June 2027, with start dates varying across participating regions.
Providers participating in the trial
Sixteen community transport providers have been selected to take part, covering a wide geographic spread across regional and rural NSW:
- Bathurst Community Transport – Bathurst region
- Coast And Country Community Services – Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Bega Valley Shire, Hilltops
- Gandangara Transport – Wingecarribee Shire
- GREAT Community Transport – Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains
- HART Services – Lismore, Richmond Valley
- Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Community Transport – Hornsby, Central Coast
- Kirinari Community Transport – Albury
- Linked Community Services – MidCoast, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens
- LiveBetter Community Services – Dubbo, Narromine, Bogan, Albury, Balranald, Blayney, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Cowra, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Greater Hume, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Tenterfield, Wagga Wagga, Walgett, Wentworth
- Moree Care – Moree Plains
- Namoi Care Connect – Narrabri Shire
- Northern Coalfields Community Care – Cessnock
- Oxley Community Transport – Liverpool Plains, Tamworth
- The Community Transport Co. – Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Tweed
- Transcare Community Transport – Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook
- Warrumbungle Community Care – Warrumbungle Shire
Areas serviced may be subject to provider availability.
The trial is designed to be flexible, with delivery shaped by local demand and the capacity of participating providers.
More information about the initiative is available via Transport for NSW at https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/ways-to-get-around/community-transport.
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