Not even Usain Bolt could make the 12.18 train to Sydney if he was relying on the Blue Mountains Bus Company to get him to Leura station.
A timetable change in the 695 service now has the bus arriving at the bottom of the Mall at 12.17pm. The train leaves at 12.18pm.
Which leaves Margaret Kristiansson stranded.
“I’ve been catching it [the bus] for the last 12 months,” she said. “I was catching taxis but it’s nearly $10 and when you are retired it’s quite expensive.”
The bus was a cheaper alternative, getting to the Mall at about 11.56am, ample time to walk up to the station.
She complained to the Transport Minister, who referred her to Transport for NSW (TfNSW), which said: “Route 695 services are not designed to connect with train services at Leura or Katoomba. The route is designed to provide access to Leura and Katoomba shopping and medical precincts and connect with other bus services in Katoomba.”
They suggested she try route 685 with a bus stop “only 350 metres away”. But Mrs Kristiansson said “they don’t know the geography” and the big hills between her house and that stop.
CDC Cabcharge, which owns the bus company, said “not every bus can meet the trains” but added recent changes were to “enhance services” and it would work with TfNSW.
Mrs Kristiansson is hoping that others who are disappointed with the changes might also contact TfNSW, prompting a change of heart.
