Eden travellers have been left scrambling to make last-minute arrangements ahead of the Christmas holiday period, following Premier Motor Services’ decision to cancel its Eden to Melbourne midnight bus service.
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The bus will make its last trip to the southern city next Friday, December 12, leaving only the daily V-Line service as a direct option for travellers heading to Melbourne.
Premier Motor Services said the service was axed because it was deemed no longer viable due to a combination of poor passenger loadings and a recent legal interpretation, but made no further comment.
Passengers affected by the cancellation have been offered a refund or alternate product, but a regular user of the service said its loss is a big blow to locals both ahead of the holidays and long-term.
Eden resident Adele Chomatek said she travels on the midnight bus 3-4 times per year, and has always found the demand so high it is difficult to find a seat.
“I went down about five weeks ago, and there were four of us who got on in Eden,” Ms Chomatek said.
“That bus is always full and every night I’ve been on there, you struggle to find a seat.
“A number of my friends use it regularly as well, and they’ve all said the same.
"I don't know how the V-Line bus will cope with the demand."
Ms Chomatek said she was forced to make alternate plans and book a flight for a pre-Christmas trip to Melbourne, after she received a call two weeks ago from Premier Motor Services to tell her the bus would no longer be running.
She said its loss will make it harder for many locals to travel south.
“It was a great service – because it left at midnight, you were able to get down there early in the morning,” she said.
“V-Line’s no good for me because it leaves around 8am – I work during the week, so if I go to Melbourne, it has to be on the weekend.
“By the time I get there on V-Line, one day’s wasted and I have to come back almost straight away.
“There would be a lot of people in the same boat as me.”
The Magnet has contacted Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, for comment on whether he will be raising the issue with Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, but he is yet to respond.