A RAIL lobby group was "cautiously optimistic" about the doubling of funding for a study into train services on the Tweed.

At the announcement of the NSW State Budget on Tuesday it was revealed that funding for a rail study on the North Coast was boosted from $1 million to $2 million.

Trains On Our Tracks (TOOT!) president Karin Kolbe said she was happy the regional plan had the funding it needed to get it done right.

"We're cautiously optimistic," Ms Kolbe said.

"We hope the terms of reference will seriously look at the real costs and benefits of rail, both short- and long-term.

"For years we and many others have said the region needs such a plan."

Murwillumbah Chamber of Commerce president Toni Zuschke said this funding showed just how public transport was a major issue for the people in the region.

"Transport and infrastructure is something that people have earmarked as being very important.

"I hope it reveals an overview of the state of affairs and not just offering band aid solutions."

Tweed State MP Geoff Provest said he would be looking for a lot of public input into the rail study.

"I think that the fact there are funds for an in-depth study show our commitment to the plan," Mr Provest said.

"We would hope to have the study started before the end of the year.

"The study will look at the cost of repairing the current line and see what would have to be done to make the service viable, and what's needed for a rail link to the Tweed and the Gold Coast.

Prior to the announcement, Mr Provest said it was important that public transport plans were made, such as identifying future rail corridors before they were built on.