Deane’s Transit Group, operators of a trial commuter bus service between Cooma and Canberra, have announced that the service will operate for the last time on 10 August.
The operator advised Cooma-Monaro Shire Council of its decision on Monday, stating that low patronage had made the service, which began at the end of February, was no longer viable.
Approximately sixty-five passengers were utilising the service each week during the last two months, however Deane’s General Manager Jeremy Wee told the Cooma-Monaro Express that they would need at least double that figure to break even. The service had been running at a loss of around $300 per day.
Without a subsidy or additional funding being provided to Deane’s, the service will cease on 11 August, with little likelihood of another operator stepping in without those same benefits.
Cooma-Monaro Shire Council is reportedly submitting a proposal to the NSW Government in support of a Regional Action Plan, which would include a commuter service linking Cooma and Canberra. Should the request be successful, there is a possibility that Deane’s would once more operate the service.
This page was last updated on 13 July 2012
