The state opposition is yet to form a position on extending light rail, but the Newcastle and Wallsend Labor MPs are backing a potential extension to the hospital in line with the redevelopment of major precincts in their electorates.
The two MPs have responded to a summary report of an extension business case that found the corridor to John Hunter Hospital the "most suitable" extension of the city's existing 2.7km line.
Their electorates meet where the study suggested a staging point for a potential two-stage hospital line.
Stage one, from Newcastle Interchange to a terminus in New Lambton, is in Newcastle, while stage two to the hospital, which would have to deal with a 9 per cent gradient, is in Wallsend.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who was a critic of the decision to remove the city's old heavy rail line, said light rail was clearly "here to stay" and "we now need to focus on making it the best it can be".
"Right now we have a light rail system that more or less replicates what our heavy rail did," he said.
"If Newcastle is to receive the "world class" transport system it was promised by former Premier Mike Baird in 2015, we need to be looking at better servicing the parts of Newcastle where the demand will be."
He acknowledged the prerequisites required to strengthen the case for a hospital line and called for the government to outline its plans for Broadmeadow.
"Broadmeadow is slated as the next big area for redevelopment, particularly with infill development and our promised sports precinct.
"The density will need to support this, but it is important that a future light rail extension is considered as part of these redevelopment processes and it is critical that Transport for NSW start preserving future corridors so that the costs of any expansion are not significantly increased," he said.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery "welcomed" the finding of a hospital line as the "most suitable" extension given the hospital site is slated for a $780 million redevelopment as a health and innovation precinct.
"The case highlights the urgent need for public transport connectivity to the John Hunter Hospital and supports what I have been saying for years," she said.
"Our local roads are congested beyond capacity at peak times and we need to improve public transport in and around the [hospital]."
Ms Hornery supports the recommendation of a dedicated bus corridor to the hospital ahead of a future light rail line but wants that concept extended into Lake Macquarie as well.
"This is a long term project and won't alleviate traffic congestion in the short term," she said of light rail.
"I would like to see the immediate introduction of fast buses, to and from the Hospital and to local centres like Broadmeadow and Glendale."
