Additional passenger train services have launched on the Hunter line between Newcastle and Singleton as part of a year-long trial.
NSW TrainLink started running two additional daily return trains between Newcastle Interchange and Singleton station on Sunday.
The trains provide additional travel opportunities for those who use stations west of Telarah, including Lochinvar, Branxton, Greta and Singleton.
One of the Singleton-bound weekday trains leaves Newcastle Interchange at 2.24pm, returning from Singleton at 3.34pm.
The other weekday train leaves Newcastle Interchange at 8.24pm, returning from Singleton at 9.34pm.
The second train leaves slightly earlier on weekends and public holidays, departing Newcastle Interchange at 8.10pm. It returns from Singleton at 9.20pm.
The extra trains offer Singleton residents an afternoon service. Previously there was about an eight-hour gap between trains to Newcastle.
The nightly train departing Newcastle for Singleton has also been well received by the community, as previously the last train to the Hunter Valley town left Newcastle before 6pm each day.
The additional services are the result of a decade-long campaign from transport advocacy group Two More Trains For Singleton.
Upper Hunter Nationals MP Michael Johnsen committed to instigating the trains ahead of last year's state election.
Regional Transport Minister Paul Toole and Mr Johnsen then announced the running times for the trains in late October.
Singleton mayor Sue Moore said the extra trains presented Novocastrians more opportunities to discover the best of Singleton.
"It's even easier to get here and get home again with more options to leave the car in the garage, forget the stress of congestion and take in the beautiful scenery," she said.
"It's a great opportunity for people in Newcastle and Maitland to embark on a school holiday adventure.
"You can also start planning a visit to Singleton to join us for our bicentennial commemorations, particularly over the weekend of 13-14 March 2020."
