Patients, visitors, and staff at John Hunter Hospital will benefit from a free park-and-ride shuttle bus service, providing regular and convenient transport to and from the hospital campus.
The shuttle bus service was established in 2007, but ceased in 2015 when new car parking spaces were constructed at the campus. The Minns Labor Government promised to reinstate the popular service as part of its 2023 election commitment.
As the major trauma centre for northern NSW and one of the busiest outpatient services in the state, more than 4000 people work at John Hunter Hospital, with thousands of patients and visitors attending the Hospital campus every day.
On Monday to Friday between 6.00am and 6.00pm, a 22-seater bus will provide a regular service between the hospital and McDonald Jones Stadium where parking is available. A second 14-seater bus will run during morning and afternoon peak times.
QR codes will allow passengers to track the bus in real-time and be alerted to any disruptions. This will ease commuting stress for staff and improve travel journeys for patients and visitors. It will also help to reduce traffic congestion and demand for parking spaces at the hospital.
The shuttle service is one of several strategies the Hunter New England Local Health District has implemented in recent years to improve access to the hospital, including expanding carparking, upgrading the road network and entry points to the campus, and collaborating with local bus companies to increase public transport options.
For more information about the shuttle service visit the website:
www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/facilities/john-hunter-hospital/getting_here
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park
"I'm thrilled to bring this important service back to the local community to make it easier for people to travel to John Hunter Hospital.
"This will reduce demand for parking spaces by offering a reliable and consistent transport alternative for patients and their families, as well as providing a convenient way for our hard-working staff to get to work."
"In addition to the shuttle service, a new multi-storey carpark is being built as part of the $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct project, due for completion in 2026."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
"I'm proud to be part of a government that is fulfilling its promises and responding to the needs of regional communities by improving access to healthcare services.
"Thank you to the thousands of residents who filled out my petition to restate this service.
"This service is something our community has long advocated for, so I am thrilled that it is being reinstated to make car parking and commuting easier for patients, visitors and staff."."
Quotes attributable to Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp
"This is a huge win for patients, visitors and staff across the Hunter.
"This service offers a much-needed solution to manage the limited carparks available and ease traffic in and around the hospital."
Quotes attributable to Tracey McCosker PSM, Chief Executive, Hunter New England Local Health District
"The shuttle bus service will serve the growing Hunter community, now and into the future.
"It also supports our District's environmental sustainability initiatives by helping to remove hundreds of cars per day from the hospital road network, car parks, and surrounding streets."
