Waiting at a lonely bus stop could become a thing of the past in five North Coast towns, with on-demand buses now being investigated for Byron Bay, Murwillumbah, Wauchope, Laurieton, and Kendall.
The services are a key priority in a new 20-year transport plan for the region, released by the NSW Government as another 44,000 people are expected to call the North Coast home over the next two decades.
Unlike regular buses with fixed stops and timetables, on-demand services let passengers book a ride that picks them up closer to home and takes them where they need to go.
“On the North Coast, having a car can often feel like a necessity, particularly in smaller towns where public transport options are limited,” said Labor Spokesperson for Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour Cameron Murphy.
“It is no surprise flexible services that can pick people up closer to home, alongside better bus connections between towns and regional centres are some of the key priorities part of this Plan.”
The final North Coast Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) sets out 52 short and medium-term initiatives, plus 13 statewide initiatives.
It also flags extended bus services into new growth areas. That means more frequent services and new or improved routes linking Tweed Heads, Ballina, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Lismore, Casino, Grafton, Kempsey, and Port Macquarie.
The plan builds on 175 extra weekly bus services across Tweed and Murwillumbah, rolled out in June.
“One of the great things about living on the North Coast is that we can still get around with relatively little traffic compared to metropolitan areas,” said Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin.
“But as more people move here to enjoy our lifestyle, locals have told us we need to have frequent and flexible public transport options that are a viable alternative to private cars.”
With the region regularly battered by severe weather and flooding, the plan puts a strong focus on a network that can stand up to natural disasters.
That means planning roads and transport links that can better withstand extreme weather, keeping communities connected to essential services during emergencies, and helping the network recover faster when floods and other disasters cause damage.
Transport for NSW received more than 1,750 contributions during consultation with local communities, industry, and government.
“Local insights are at the heart of this Plan,” said Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison.
“The priorities we have identified reflect what people told us matters most, from more flexible bus services and better connections between towns to a transport network that can better withstand floods and extreme weather.”
The plan also looks at how transport can better serve people who often face bigger barriers getting around, including young people, people with disability, and Aboriginal communities. The aim is to make it easier to reach education, jobs, healthcare, and other essential services.
“With another 44,000 people expected to move to the region over the next two decades it’s important we plan now for the changing transport needs,” Aitchison said.
The 20-year vision sits alongside major projects already under way, including the $2.2 billion jointly funded Coffs Harbour Bypass and improvements to the M1 Pacific Motorway between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay.
The NSW Government is also putting $312.5 million into the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Program, and a $10.5 million grant to Bellingen Shire Council in 2026–27 will fund works on Summervilles and Gordonville roads.
“We now have a clear direction for the next 20 years, shaped by the people who know the region best and understand what their communities need,” Murphy said.
The final plan and engagement report are available at www.transport.nsw.gov.au/north-coast-sritp.
“From the Tweed to Port and everywhere in between, we need good, reliable transport options, and the Plan is our commitment to keeping people connected,” Saffin said.
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