A park-and-ride shuttle service is set to return to John Hunter Hospital, providing patients, visitors, and staff free and convenient transport to and from the campus.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the NSW Government had listened to the community, and reinstating the popular service will make a big difference.
“The free park-and-ride shuttle service was an election commitment and I’m pleased we’ve been able to reinstate this service,” Mr Park said.
“It will provide a consistent and reliable timetable for staff and visitors to attend work or meetings and help elderly and sick patients reach their appointments without having to walk from distant parking spots.”
“It will also help alleviate car parking pressures on the campus, as well as support staff wellbeing and environmental sustainability initiatives by removing hundreds of cars per day from the hospital road network, car parks and surrounding streets.”
As the major trauma centre for northern NSW and one of the busiest outpatient services in the state, thousands of vehicles travel through the John Hunter Hospital campus each day, with car parking spaces regularly filled during peak periods.
Hunter New England Local Health District, Chief Executive, Tracey McCosker PSM said the District had commenced planning to determine exactly how the service will operate to best meet the needs of staff and the community.
“We know trips to the hospital can be a stressful and challenging time for our patients and their families, as well as staff who need to provide a valuable service to the community – reinstating this service will make it easier for all,” Ms McCosker said.
Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said she is really proud to part of a government which is making it easier for patients, staff and the community to access their local hospital.
“I know this will make a really big difference to members of our community who regularly travel to John Hunter Hospital, and I am pleased we’re able to deliver this service which will make it easier to access the hospital.”
The shuttle service supports other strategies the District has implemented in recent years to improve access to the hospital campus, including increasing access to parking, upgrading the road network and access points to the campus, and working with local bus companies to extend frequency of public transport options in peak times.
The previous shuttle bus service was established in 2007 to alleviate car parking pressures on the John Hunter Hospital campus and ceased in 2015 when 740 new car parking spaces were completed.