That includes “fairer fares” based on the Sydney trains system of cost per kilometres travelled and the introduction of Opal cards to regional areas.

Orange Rail Action Group spokesman Neil Jones said the Sydney Trains and Opal card boundary extended to Bathurst but beyond there passengers were having to pay more to travel.

“We think there should be a simplified, more equitable fare structure based on sectors,” he said.

Mr Jones said the Opal card system should extend to regional centres and include a way to book seats online.

“Surely there is a way to do it,” he said.

Mr Jones said the group’s call was in line with a 2014 parliamentary inquiry which recommended the fare structure be investigated.

Dennis Toohey, spokesman for Regional Rail Action NSW, said it was one of three resolutions the joint meeting had approved.

The others call for the manufacture, fit out and maintenance of the new regional train fleet in regional NSW and for the upgrade of regional rail tracks.

Mr Jones said the cheapest way for passengers to travel to Sydney was via the Bathurst Bullet train, with a ticket costing $14.65 including a coach from Orange to Bathurst followed by the Bullet. 

That compared to paying more for a longer coach ride to Lithgow and then catching an Intercity train to Sydney for a total cost of $22.10.

He said the most expensive way is to catch the XPT the whole distance which cost $26.55.

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