The delegation to meet Transport Minister John Watkins includes mayor Paul Toole, council general manager David Sherley, cultural services director Lesley Atkinson, CWA president Christine O’Rouke and community members John and Margaret Hollis and Chris O’Rourke.

Mr Hollis said the meeting with the minister was a significant step in the process of securing better rail services for Bathurst and the state.

“We want a dedicated daily CityRail service between Bathurst and Sydney in addition to services we already have,” Mr Hollis said.

“We recognise it won’t happen overnight but we want to get it on the agenda.”

Mr Hollis referred to the Federal Government’s transport infrastructure review, adding he would like to see the State and Federal Governments working together on the project.

“It’s a matter of regional development. Bathurst has grown substantially in the past 20 years.”

“Tourism has grown, education has grown, the price of fuel has added another aspect as well as environmental considerations and Bathurst is at the edge of the CityRail network.

“A lot of investors might consider coming to Bathurst, but if they see our rail infrastructure is weak they will go elsewhere. Our rail services are letting us down in that respect.

“You also can’t separate the fact that freight is part of the rail service too.

“The road between Bathurst and Sydney is one of the most dangerous in the state. If we start to develop a better rail service it will get more cars and heavy vehicles off the road.”

He said the current figures for rail use do not take into account the number of people who use Selwoods Coaches or drive to Lithgow, Mt Victoria or Penrith to catch CityRail trains.

Mr Hollis said the ministerial delegation was just a starting point.

“We hope the minister will see this not as a cost, but as an investment,” he said.