RTBU backs call for reintroduction of passenger trains to Cessnock

Media release, 21 Jan 2026: The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has thrown its support behind calls to reintroduce passenger train services to Cessnock, saying the move would deliver major benefits for commuters, local jobs and the Hunter region as a whole.

The call follows a recommendation from Business Hunter urging the NSW Government to reopen the rail line and restore passenger services to one of the state’s fastest-growing regional centres.

RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes said bringing trains back to Cessnock is a “no-brainer” that would ease pressure on roads, cut travel times and better connect the region to jobs and services.

“For decades, regional communities like Cessnock and the broader Hunter have been short-changed when it comes to public transport investment,” Mr Warnes said.

“This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky idea – it’s a practical, affordable project that would make a real difference to people’s daily lives.”

Mr Warnes said restoring passenger rail would have benefits far beyond transport.

“Reopening this line isn’t just a transport project – it’s economic reform, housing reform and environmental reform rolled into one,” he said.

“It would give workers, students and other commuters a reliable alternative to long car commutes, open up access to jobs across the Hunter, and take pressure off our roads.”

Mr Warnes said research and costings produced by the Train to Cessnock campaign estimate that passenger services could be reinstated for less than $200 million, making it a highly cost-effective infrastructure project compared to major road upgrades.

“For a relatively modest investment, the NSW Government could deliver a transformational piece of infrastructure for a growing region,” Mr Warnes said.

“With Cessnock and the Hunter continuing to grow, the question isn’t whether we can afford to bring trains back – it’s whether we can afford not to.”

The RTBU is calling on the NSW Government to act on the recommendation and commit to restoring passenger rail services to Cessnock as part of a broader plan to improve transport in regional NSW.