Emma Pritchard
Following the recent announcement by Regional Express (REX) to withdraw services from several regional centres across NSW, including Grafton, the Clarence Valley Independent hit the streets last week and spoke to locals and visitors to ask how the news affected them.
Joan Hardwood: The decision by REX to withdraw services from Grafton is very disappointing. Grafton is a regional community, and we don’t have the luxury of having everything on our doorstep compared to those who live in larger metropolitan areas, so to lose such a valuable resource which provides an essential service is heartbreaking. For a regional airline which markets itself as being proud to service regional communities, in announcing their intention to withdraw flights they’re controverting themselves and failing in their commitment to the people of regional Australia.
John Campanese: I reckon it’s a crying shame, but if that is what REX want to do, I say screw them. I realise the Regional Airline National Support (RANS) program is ending at the end of June, but if REX were serious in their commitment to regional communities, including Grafton, they would find a way to remain operational. I think REX are just using the whole RANS scenario as an excuse to pull the plug on a lot of their services.
Xavier Cootes: Honestly, I don’t really care if REX stop flying in and out of Grafton. I’ve never flown with them because their fares are way too high. I always drive if I need to travel somewhere. Even though petrol is really expensive at the moment, I can refuel my car four or five times and it would still be cheaper than a one-way ticket with REX.
Tallarah Wolley: I’m only visiting the area for a few weeks. I didn’t use REX to get here. I flew from Sydney to Coffs Harbour with Qantas because the fare was much more affordable, plus the flight time was far more convenient with my travel itinerary. I think it is sad that everyone in Grafton could lose their airline service, but I know a lot of people opt to fly in and out of Ballina and Coffs Harbour instead for various reasons, so I don’t think the loss of REX will have a big impact on the community.
David Greene: I’m not a local, but I was actually quite surprised when I heard the news. I thought Grafton being a fairy large regional centre would have a regular air service to cater for the whole area, but I guess if REX have made the decision to cease operating here, they obviously don’t seem to care about all the folk that relied on them.
Melissa Bryne: I really couldn’t care less. REX have proven in the past that they are not committed to the Clarence Valley, so if they want to leave, they should be allowed to go. I don’t see the point in fighting to keep an airline that doesn’t want to be here.
Verna Watkins: I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. Grafton has already lost so much and now we’re losing our only airline service. It’s just ridiculous. Now more people will have to travel away from the local area if they want to fly somewhere. I hope our new government extend the RANS program because we need an airline service.