North West Rail Link Community Information Centre

The North West Rail Link is a new rail line which will be built to join Epping and Rouse Hill to service the burgeoning populations of the North West Growth Centre.

The North West Rail Link Project Team has created a website and a real world information centre so that people can find out about the project and make comments. You can find out about the proposed route of the line and the stations which will be built.

The web address is http://northwestrail.com.au/ and you can visit the North West Rail Link Community Information Centre at 299 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, at the corner of Crane Road (Opposite Castle Towers and Arthur Whitling Park).

The phone contact is 1 800 019 989.

Liverpool Transport Taskforce hits the streets!

On Friday the 24th of June members of the Liverpool Transport Taskforce took to the streets to talk to people about the Liverpool Free Shuttle Service, ask them why they use the service and tell them that it was a 12 month trial.

Some members of the Taskforce rode the free shuttle service loop and spoke to passengers on board whilst others spoke to people at major bus stops.

Community members the taskforce spoke to believe the service to be important to the Liverpool community and were shocked when they were informed that it is only a trial service.

Results and findings will be published on the WSPTU website shortly. In the mean time have a look at the photos!

Fares Reduce for Longer-Term Tickets from July 1.

The fares for longer-term MyTrain and MyMulti tickets - monthly, quarterly and yearly tickets - will be reduced from July 1.

To see the changes go here.

To find information about all ticket fares go here.

Light Rail to be included in the MyZone ticketing system

From the Government's media release:
The NSW Government will incorporate light rail into the MyZone ticketing system to save commuters time and money and boost public transport use, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced today.
The move means from 27 June commuters who use MyMulti tickets as part of the MyZone system to travel on trains, buses and ferries will also be able to travel on the light rail network.
Pensioners and families will benefit too as light rail will – for the first time – be included in pensioner excursion tickets and Family Funday Sunday tickets.
Click here to see the full release from the Minister.

Parramatta Shuttle Is Here To Stay

An article on the Parramatta Council website tells us that the new State Government has made a commitment to continue to fund the Parramatta Shuttle bus service.
Click here for the full story

WSPTU members are interested in the fate of a number of local shuttle services which are mostly on a 12 month trial period.

WSPTU Policy Forum Meeting - June 11

Represeentatives from Parramatta, Penrith, Mt Druitt and the Blue Mountains met to report back on local transport issues and to develop WSPTU policy ideas.

Heritage Train All Long Weekend from Central

Are Transit Officers For Checking Tickets More Than Safety?

Should Transit Officers be primarily involved with checking tickets or providing security on trains? The answer to this question will obviously effect the way in which Transit Officers are deployed. WSPTU members, and others surveyed, consistently mention the need to improve personal safety on CityRail services, particularly at night.

This story from the SMH says that Transit Officers have been told to spend more time checking tickets. Click here for the story.

Problems Planning the North West Rail Link?

The SMH says that there are problems with the proposed plan to run all North West Rail Link trains through Epping and Chatswood. The article proposes that some trains should run via Epping and Strathfield.
Read the article here

WSPTU hopes to be able to offer some commentary on these issues soon.

Waratah Train Delayed

Latest news abou the Waratah train from the SMH
There has been speculation that the recent delays have been a result of safety concerns relating to the trains' intricate software system, which may take weeks to rectify.