Newcastle Interchange is a transport interchange serving the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It serves as the terminus for Central Coast & Newcastle Line and Hunter Line train services, Newcastle Light Rail services and Newcastle Transport bus routes.
Located in the inner Newcastle suburb of Wickham, it is to the west of the former Wickham station. The railway station opened 15 October 2017 with light rail services commencing on 17 February 2019.
History As part of its plans to revitalise the Newcastle central business district, the Newcastle railway line was closed east of Hamilton on 25 December 2014 to allow construction of the Newcastle Light Rail line.Last train leaves Newcastle station Newcastle Herald 26 December 2014Wickham Transport Interchange Transport for NSW July 2014Revitalisation of Newcastle CBD continues as Wickham interchange gets the green light Transport for NSW 14 November 2014 Included in the project was a transport interchange.Wickham Transport Interchange Transport for NSW July 2014Wickham Transport Interchange Transport for NSW
The design for the new interchange was released by Transport for NSW in July 2015.Revitalising Newcastle: Design revealed for Wickham transport interchange Transport for NSW Originally to be named Wickham Transport Interchange, in December 2015, Transport for NSW lodged a proposal with the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales to have the station name changed to Newcastle Interchange.Proposal to assign a Newcastle station name Geographical Names Board of New South Wales 11 December 2015Newcastle Interchange name proposed for new Wickham station ABC News 12 December 2015 This was confirmed in December 2016.New Wickham Interchange officially named Newcastle Interchange Newcastle Herald 22 December 2016
Construction commenced in May 2016 after being delayed by a legal challenge to the line's closure.Improving infrastructure at Wickham Revitalising Newcastle The railway station was opened on 15 October 2017 by then Transport Minister Andrew Constance.Timetable changes Central Coast & Newcastle Line and Hunter Line Transport for New South Wales 1 October 2017Glorious day: Newcastle Interchange at Wickham opens Newcastle Herald 15 October 2017 Light rail services commenced on 17 February 2019.Light rail in Newcastle opening from Monday 18 February Transport for NSW 3 February 2019
A World War I honour roll was placed at the end of platform 1. Originally installed at Wickham Superior Public School, it was donated to the Newcastle Museum after the school had to be demolished following the 1989 Newcastle earthquake.Interchange to feature a piece of local history NBN Television 16 October 2017
Services
Heavy rail
Newcastle Interchange is serviced by Sydney Trains Intercity Central Coast & Newcastle Line services to and from Gosford and Sydney Central and Sydney Trains Intercity Hunter Line services to and from Maitland, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Scone, Telarah and Dungog.
Light rail Newcastle Light Rail services commenced on 17 February 2019 and operate from Newcastle Interchange through the Newcastle City Centre to Newcastle Beach.Newcastle Light Rail Announced Transport for NSW 23 May 2014Light rail route for city finally unveiled ABC News 23 May 2014Light rail decision draws mixed reactions Newcastle Herald 23 May 2014Map Fairfax Regional
Bus In September 2015, the former Newcastle & Suburban Co-Operative store building adjacent to the transport interchange was purchased as the site for a proposed bus interchange.Sky's the limit for super Store: state buys site adjacent to interchange Newcastle Herald 29 September 2015 Demolition commenced in June 2018 and the new bus interchange opened on 5 July 2020.Newcastle Bus Interchange: Review of Environmental Factors Revitalising Newcastle July 2017Old Newcastle Store Building to go for bus interchange NBN Television 24 July 2017RET paper out for proposed Newcastle bus interchange Rail Express 31 July 2017
Stand A
10X to Charlestown Express (Weekdays only) 22 to Charlestown via Merewether & The Junction 130 to Newcastle Airport – Salamander Bay – Nelson Bay – Fingal Bay 131 to Newcastle Airport – Salamander Bay – Nelson Bay – Shoal Bay (Express, weekdays only) 138 to Salt Ash – Newcastle Airport – Fern Bay – Lemon Tree Passage 140 to Mayfield – Hexham – Tomago – Raymond Terrace 266 to Wallsend – Glendale – Edgeworth – West Wallsend – Seahampton
Stand B – Arrivals Only
Stand C
150 to Broadmeadow – Raymond Terrace – Karuah – Tea Gardens – Hawks Nest – Bulahdelah – Forster–Tuncurry – Taree 151 to Broadmeadow – Raymond Terrace – Bulahdelah – Forster – Taree 152 to Hexham – Raymond Terrace – Karuah – Tea Gardens – Hawks Nest
References
External links
Newcastle Interchange details Transport for NSW