Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) are in negotiations with Transport for NSW over the possibility of extra services or added carriages during the October to December closure.

In an FAQ published on the RMS website, there is a response to the question of whether it has “investigated the possibility of increasing train services and/or extra carriages during the closure”.

The response states “We are currently consulting with Transport for NSW and we will update the community with any changes to services.”

Transport for NSW  were contacted but declined to speculate on the likelihood of the South Coast line seeing extra services, or whether they would be removed once the pass reopens in December.

“NSW TrainLink is working with Roads and Maritime Services to investigate options to help ease congestion as a result of the planned Bulli Pass closure starting in October,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.

The news comes a day after Keira MP Ryan Park and Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay visited the region to talk with the Thirroul Transport Committee (TTC) over the effect the closure of Bulli Pass will have on the number of people catching the train.

The TTC is already concerned about the large number of commuters driving to Thirroul to catch an express service and parking in the streets all day.

They have fears the closure of Bulli Pass will exacerbate the congestion in the streets of Thirroul.

While the government has run a trial of an extra stop at Austinmer for peak hour services, the group is pushing for a similar trial at Bulli while the pass is closed.

Mr Park supported the TTC’s call.

“What we now need to see is a reinstatement of Bulli station to take some pressure off Thirroul but also to make sure we’re providing some good quality public transport services to a community that so heavily relies on it,” Mr Park said.

“We have in Bulli an accessible station with lifts, with car parks and it’s easy to get to coming off Memorial Drive.

“It doesn’t make sense that we don’t have that as a part of the South Coast timetable, particularly in the morning and afternoon peak periods.”

Ms McKay said, with the closure of pass, the time was right to add a stop at Bulli for express services.

“It seems to be sensible – if you can have a trial for Austinmer you can have a trial of Bulli,” Ms McKay said.

“It just makes sense. It just seems to be the perfect time to trial this now that you have this situation with the Bulli Pass.

“Let’s look at the alternatives.”