The changes are part of what is being described as “the modernising of the regional services to provide better value for money for NSW taxpayers”.

Customers are assured there will be no change to train and coach services at any locations.

In a press release Transport NSW said the changes were the result of the increased use of online and phone booking services by customers, which reduced face to face transactions.

For its part, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union said rail workers and rural communities were shaken by the changes that would see rural workers currently working full-time, moved into part-time jobs.

“This has a flow on effect on entire communities,” Union Secretary Alex Claassens said.

“The loss of hours will create a new working poor who won’t be able to afford to have only one job and will be forced to try to get other work, or go without … in areas that are already struggling with unemployment.”

Claims by the union that train stations would be closed are not true.

The Guardian also spoke to the Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey.

* For the full story see this week’s Guardian, out on Thursday