Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The 552 Bus

In 2008 the Bus Network Review removed the bus from Prince and Bellevue Streets in Oatlands and North Parramatta. Local people lobbied hard to get the bus back. The bus was returned to Prince St on a trial basis but was never restored to Bellevue St. Local people are still working to get the bus back into Bellevue St and confirmed as a permanent service so that they can all get into Parramatta. This video tells that story.

Secure Taxi Ranks

The 'Secure Taxi Ranks' is a new Government program for late night travel from busy 'hot spots'. There are several ranks in Western Sydney operating on Friday and Saturday nights. Here is the list of all the ranks in NSW:

Click here: Secure Taxi Ranks

The NSW Premier's Debate

Here is a link to a video of the debate between Kristina Keneally and Barry O'Farrell last week. There was a lot of talk about transport.

Click here for the debate

Ride to Riverstone Festival - Saturday May 15th 2010

Cycling and Charity Event

A community activity organised by The Riverstone & District Lions Club for the benefit of The Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) for medical research into the prevention of Childhood Cancer.

Depending on the distance chosen, Ride to Riverstone Festival can either be a leisurely ride or a more arduous challenge through the picturesque and historic Hawkesbury and Hills districts.

Click here for more info: Ride To Riverstone Festival

Monday, March 22, 2010

Sydney 2036 - Metropolitan Strategy Review

NSW Planning has released a discussion paper to initiate a review of the Metropolitan Strategy. The Metropolitan Strategy is about how to plan Sydney, including Western Sydney, and how all the different parts of Sydney relate. This is very important when we are thinking about organising public transport, and transport in general. They are wanting people to comment on their discussion paper by April 30th.
Metropolitan Strategy Review

Western Sydney 2030

From WSROC - Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils.
______________

Western Sydney is a patchwork of people and communities, reflecting much of Australia's diversity and experience.

From towns nestled in a World Heritage Area to agricultural lands, industrial areas, low and medium density residential areas, and major business centres, Western Sydney residents hail from the four corners of the globe, bringing to Sydney and Australia a diversity of cultural and personal experiences.

It's about time we all had a say in how our lives and communities will be in twenty years' time and beyond. That's why Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has created this website to allow the people who live in Western Sydney to put forward a vision for how Western Sydney should be in 2030.

Through this web site we are asking people to tell us of their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future. Our expert panel will turn that information into an integrated picture of what life could be like in Western Sydney.

That way the people of Western Sydney will be able to see clearly whether or not policy proposals and promises made by politicians will make life better or not.

http://www.westernsydney2030.com.au/

Local Response to Audit Report on Bus Services

Here is a link to an article in the Penrith Star with quotes from Sue Day, WSPTU member. Penrith Star

NSW Transport and Infrastructure March 2010 Newsletter

NSW Transport and Infrastructure has released a Newsletter for March 2010 which outlines their latest work including descriptions of MyZone, the Metropolitan Transport Plan and the release of new taxi licences.
NSW Transport and Infrastructure March 2010 Newsletter

Journey To Work Atlas

NSW Transport and Infrastucture, via the Transport Data Centre, has provided a new Journey To Work Atlas. This Atlas tells us about travel patterns and how people travel to and from work.
Journey To Work

Bus Stops Around The World

Bus stops are a big deal for bus users in Western Sydney. The quality of a bus stop can strongly effect the customer experience of their bus trip both positively and negatively.

In Australia local councils are responsible for the provision of most bus stop infrastructure but, because councils are not directly part of the bus transport sector, there are some difficulties getting bus stop infrastructure provided consistently to a good standard.

Click on the link below for some fun examples of bus stops from around the world - sent to us via email.
Bus Stops Around The World

Thursday, March 18, 2010

New Video From People Wanting The 552 Bus in North Parramatta

In 2008 the Bus Network Review removed the bus from Prince and Bellevue Streets in Oatlands and North Parramatta. Local people lobbied hard to get the bus back. The bus was returned to Prince St on a trial basis but was never restored to Bellevue St. Local people are still working to get the bus back into Bellevue St and confirmed as a permanent service so that they can all get into Parramatta. This video tells that story.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

NSW Commuter Council - What Does Your Station Need?

Sue Day is the WSPTU representative on the NSW Commuters Council and has brought this message from the Council Chairperson:

FROM KEVIN PARISH, CHAIR,COMMUTER COUNCIL

WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD SUPPLY A LIST OF IMPROVENTS YOU BELIEVE ARE NEEDED STATION BY STATION

WHAT ADDITIONS OR CHANGES NEEDED TO:
SIGNS, INDICATORS,STEPS, RAMPS. LIFTS, ROOFING, PARKING, BUS STOPS,PAINTING. TAXI STANDS,PLATFORMS.

If you have any suggestions you can send them to Sue so she can take them to the Council.

To contact Sue Day you can:
go via the South Penrith Residents Action Group Website here http://www.sprag.vpweb.com.au/ContactUs.html
or email Sue at suetrac@optushome.com.au
or phone her on 0247270092
or simply leave a comment here by clicking on 'comments' directly below this post.

Oatlands and North Parramatta Still Asking For An Extension To The 552

The North Parramatta and Oatlands group of people met again in February at the BellaRouse village in Oatlands to discuss how to further their requests to get the 552 bus extended into the "Bellevue St Loop". The State MP for the Hawkesbury, Ray Williams, attended the meeting and committed to taking the issue to the Parliament. To see a description of the issues go to: http://oatlandsnorthparramatta.blogspot.com/

Mt Druitt 755 Bus Restored

The 755 bus has been restored to Mt Druitt and the local people are thrilled. Many people had been working hard to make their case for the return of the 755 bus and their efforts have been rewarded. To see the full story go here: http://sobsmtdruittasa.blogspot.com/