Calling On Western Sydney Commuters Required To Attend A Press Conference About Park And Ride!

Calling all commuters!                                                                                     

Do you know if you are able to come join us at 11:00 am on Wednesday 26th for a press conference at Olympic park about a park and ride?

Or perhaps you have someone up your sleeve who might be interested? If you do contact David Barrow from Sydney Alliance on 0416028001.

 

Click for Details of Sydney Alliance

Basically, 'Park and Ride' are places were the community travel  by car to a car park and they continue on their journey using public transport, usually trains.

Does 'Park and Ride' provide a total  solution to moving the entire community into public transport? Is it the right direction to go? Is there a better solution?

Sydney's Second Airport Proposal Is Up Again - Badgerys Creek - This Time There Could Be Stronger Voices Than 30 Years Ago!

Yes don't forget that planes are another form of public transport that take people to longer destinations in very quick time!

Click Here for ED Husic's Comments, Federal Member For Chifley

30 years ago when the proposal to came out west, it was knocked down to the ground and  plans 'never took up!' Not much discussions has been said since as  it was felt like it was swept under the door.

Since then urban areas sprawled with housing and major increasing in population as so many suburbs have been created.  30 years ago I was on the 'No' side of having a second airport  and I wasn't living anywhere in Western Sydney. Now my thoughts are changing towards having a second airport in Western Sydney.

The positive ideas that come out of are job creation for over 28,000 people, injection of funds in the Western Sydney community and greater plans from Local Councils to include Public Transport links to the new proposed airport.

Hundreds Of New Sydney Trains Services In The Greater West As From 20/10/2013! - SMH

As the NSW Minister of Transport announces  hundreds of  new train services in the Greater Western Sydney, what we will have to understand is  by producing time tables a lot of  plans and discussions are made based on budget constraints and when we get is what we deserve.

I can see that although the new time tables have been announced more than a month before the  commence date, this is a good indication that maybe Sydney Trains is heading the right way ( pardon the pun)!

The understanding is to try to integrate trains and bus 
interchange time tables so that commuters will have easier  and improved services ,making life easier for all. One thing that we all know is that not everyone would be happy. Yet if  a majority of commuters are pleased with the new  time tabled services, then the NSW Government is heading in the right direction.

Click here: Whole Of Sydney 1000 More SydneyTrains Services - SMH


Extra services planned: 

Parramatta (430 extra services a week)
Macquarie Park (104)
Bankstown (63) 
Penrith (34)

Check it out and see what you think , especially when it starts!

Google Maps Has Bus Stops & Train Stations Symbols To Assist Commuters - No Taxi Stands Symbols As Yet!

Google maps now shows you: bus stops and train stations which is good for commuters that use this technology to get to places.

What it doesn't show you is taxi stands at present, this could be added by Google later on - they are probably working on it!

Click here and go to your destination street and check it out?

Do We Need fast Trains From City To City Or Is A Second Sydney Airport Better?

All of a sudden in a Federal Election, we have policy after policy being thrown in each and every electors front door. This is usual not unusual!

As mentioned before on a previous blog, we even have a Fast Train Policy Party:
http://wsptu.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/just-for-commuters-interested-in-coming.html

Now our recent Prime Minister,  is throwing money into 'PLANES ONLY' from Brisbane to Melbourne Click here for details

Yet, although we all want improvements in public transport for all commuters in Western Sydney, what has to that great time and thinking for all of us is what mode of transport would first all the following criteria:

• would be easy to access and use
• cost effective fares for all the commuters
• cost effective for all levels of Government
• job creating
• efficiency of travel time and journeys
• efficiency in energy used
• better interchangeable public transport connections
• inclusion for improvements for future public transport
• Economical benefits to Australian economy

There has been talk of fast trains for years and years regarding fast trains and also there was talk years ago of a second Sydney Airport, which was  quashed due to public reaction. Times have changed and sometimes people changed lifestyles make people change their mind.

Strangely enough a majority of  Australians living in the Greater Western Sydney, had their up bringing or originally migrated from the northern parts of Sydney  eastern suburbs or southern eastern suburbs. Now enjoying life out West, I hear there could be a positive swing of mood and understanding to accommodate the growing increased population, is a swing to a more acceptable second airport, designated in Western Sydney.

The economical benefit is the most important one. We would need to debate this in communities, with neighbors and even in each tier of government. It appears that it will be cheaper then costings for a fast train from city to city, to engineer and construct as well as  paying for individual fares.

What is your thoughts.? What would be better: fast Train or easier access to airports - then faster planes?

Parramatta City Council's Light Rail Proposal - Do Residents Understand The Need For Public Transport Expansion And Improvement?

There are arguments for and against Light Rail expansion, but no arguments for public transport improvement or expansion as we are living in a growing society and  population.

Sydney was basically unplanned city and  it seems that we are way behind the times with public transport improvements and infrastructure to meet the demands of our growing and expanding population.

Before we think of making improvements we have to turn the clock back  say 200 years ago and vision what Parramatta's population was then and  also the community -  and here is what it looked like in 1812;



Now go forward another 200 years  see what  the population is and vision the surroundings of the community - Well actually, with over 170,000 residents today this is how part of Parramatta, is TODAY!




Can you see how developments for public transport improvements are required to make Parramatta, central part of Western Sydney and Sydney itself, work towards ensuring the future is covered?

This is a way of seeking improvements in public transport!


Click here for the article

Do you have Commuter Congestion at Western Sydney Barrier Gates? Check out The Video On the Parramatta Barriers!

In your Western  Sydney Train Station, do you have issues getting through the barriers. Like getting through the gates/barriers - 'Commuter Jams' as opposed to 'traffic jams'!

Is there a solution to the problem and if there is tell us what you think it is?

We understand it may mostly happen in peak times, yet what it can anywhere at any time. Is this issue important to you to have improved at any Sydney trans Train Stations in Western Sydney?

Click here for Parramatta Barriers Video

How A Sydney Trains Staff Handled Commuters At Blacktown Trains Station - Re: Mount Druitt Fatality!

Well done Sydney Trains Employees at Blacktown and Busways Blacktown for claiming and updating commuters at Blacktown  train station, regarding a Mount Druitt Fatality:

Click here for further Deatils!

Interesting Question Placed To Me Today- Commuter Related!

In the public transport sector we have lot's of commuters - majority of them are just every day commuters and the rest are transport officers and public transport commuters combined. Okay, probably have you confused by now... there are people that work within the public transport sector and need to catch public transport to reach their work.

It is with great interest that a transport officer working for Sydney buses has advised that he does get free public transport on all forms of public transport, except for travelling on private operated buses. So his question is why  should he pay  fares on any buses even if it is privately operated and also by don't  Busways bus drivers have a right to have free public transport on all government owned public transport buses!

An interesting concept, is he discriminated by paying fares and same with Busways bus drivers are they being discriminated against for paying fares on public transport? What do you think?

My father always was given free public transport, around the state of New South Wales, whilst he was a tram driver and bus driver.

Delays Catching M91 Bus - Penrith Commuter

David  from Penrith  - travels by City Rail train to Parramatta and then changes for a Metro bus M91 to Bass Hill. Although, it is not a a popular transport corridor that commuters use that I know of - there seems to be a treacle of commuter that tend to use a similar corridor.


His issue is the waiting time at Parramatta Bus interchange, this is due to late running bus services. According to David - the bus services should be every twenty minutes but  in most cases it tends to arrive every half an hour. this can make his one length journey trip take up to two hours. Although he acknowledges that the M91 is comfortable and there is plenty of seating, he just that if buses are on time, not running late it will make his life easier.

NEW WSPTU Steering Committee Elected 2013

On Saturday 1st June 2013, a new WSPTU Committee was elected and there was a well represented. The following were the elected Office-bearers:

President:  Susan Day, Vice President: John Seedsman, Secretary/Treasurer: John Svoboda, Acting Secretary Chris Pandilovski and Committee Members: Leonie Clark and Paul Turner.

Hugh Worrall Showing the way!

WSPTU POLICY COMMITTEE

Draft Metropolitan Strategy For Sydney (Western Sydney Included) - WSPTU & Assistance From Newcastle University Students

Over a month ago, I was  forwarded an e-mail from Newcastle University Students to assist us in providing in providing a proposal to the 'Your Future Sydney: Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney to 2031'.  The three University students have been communicating with us as to formulate the  details of the Draft submission. We are interested in any feedback you may have about the Metropolitan Strategy.

Mount Druitt Hub Meeting Sparks Good Response From Locals Re- Safety Issues On City Rail Trains!

Last night, as a local public transport advocate and representative for Mount Druitt and the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc., I attended the Safety Meeting for City Rail Commuters that the NSW State Opposition had organised in conjunction with Patricia Hooker. Patricia Hooker is a mother of two sons who were assaulted on a Western Sydney Rail service between St. Marys and Rooty Hill.

Penny Sharpe MLC

NSW Opposition Spokesperson  on Transport, Penny Sharpe MLC, opened the meeting  with the noted reason why public transport is out in the community for the public: to get to schools, work, friends,  shops and relaxation & family events and also to cater the more increasing commuters that cannot drive around for whatever reason.

She explained that she knows that we need more of public transport and is a keen to more public transport service whilst there is more safer public transport to travel on. She would like to see a system of safer travel. A system where you are safe and feel safe on public transport.  The public transport system needs to work and with importance of safety.

Two years under the previous NSW Government there was 600 State Transit Officer covering City Rail and 300 Commuter Rail Police as support. Claims are the current NSW Government are getting rid of the State Transit Officers and transferring 150 of them as Revenue officers to cover fare evaders and there will be 600 Police Transit Officers covering Trains, buses and ferries.

Recent data shows a 13.2% in Graffiti and vandalism and half the fare evasion fines have been issued in compared to previous times.
She claimed that she receives calls regarding horrific events happening on City Rail Trains, claims there was no safety especially when a lady caught a train early in the morning from Emu Plains to the city one morning and over a hundred  young people entered the train, later destroying it. After 000 was called, it took until Parramatta where Transit Officers took over the situation. Also gets reports in Central Coast where seats are being ripped out and the transit officers arrive after the incident occurs.

Penny concluded that prevention of this behaviour is important.

John Robertson,
NSW Opposition Leader

The leader of The NSW Opposition, John Robertson advised one of his children has been affected  by anti-social behaviour on trains. That the current NSW Government has had 2 years to fix the problem out of 4 years: cuts to budgets, safety issues not being fixed and today asked in the NSW Government in 'Question Time' two questions, to the Minister of Transport take responsibility of antisocial behaviours on City Rail - ( I think this correct).

Claims Graffiti and vandalism is up as the Transit officers will be reduced leaving 600 police outstretched to  working on trains, buses and ferries! We need a Government to meet the needs of safety of all commuters!

Patricia Hooker was the main guest speaker and reflected on what had happen on her two sons: Chris and Stephen, in early February on City Rail Trains between St Marys and Rooty Hill and that they were both assaulted.

Patrcia Hooker, John Roberton,
Penny Sharpe and Richard Amery

She is concerned how many people actually feel safe travelling on our rail network.

She would  a review of  safety on our train system. As a community member and a mum she also wants a safer community on public transport travelling on all journeys. And finally she advised she will be looking a  possible petition  for the NSW Government to review  the current process of reducing transit officers, where they should be increased to provide a safer commuter community.

Comments raised from the community representatives were as follows:

• Transit Police  are taking Police off roads.
• Better accessibility to commuters by providing lifts at Doonside, Rooty Hill, Pendle Hill, Toongabbie train stations
• One community members has issues with dealing with police officers/safety officers
•  Need to have safe and clean transport,  no need to make a profit to provide public transport service
• quoted by a police officer ( as mentioned by a community member), 'We have real jobs to go to no time to fix Graffiti crime!'
• a commuter with disability claims that dislike Waratah trains as  the guard is in the eighth carriage not close to the commuters near the middle of the trains and they therefore cannot react immediately on  any issue that needs to be addressed
• former Transit police Officer advised he now trains on trains and  claims transit officers are required to provide comfort for commuters as he, himself is petrified of any negative impact from commuters
•  I stated that I agree for Police Transit Officers to have  more powers and that will reduce the  the time a person can be taken and arrested as a Transit officer can only hold the person down waiting for the police to arrive for them to exercise their powers.
•  I also said, move the Transit officers to buses and  trains and even have more police officers to cover shortfalls
• And I said ensure each train CCTV's that enable police investigations to be conducted and completed as it is on public transport  and this should not provide and privacy issues or discrimination to one's right - as it will always be good substantial evidence.
• From my heart I apologised for happened to her and her sons
• That Rooty Hill and Doonside have no taxi stands which allows commuters a safer trip home in a different mode of transport
•  a community member involved as a social councillor, that you can have the best public transport system in the world but  thee are a lot of Western Sydney people that are sad, unresolved anxiety and depression and look into reason and cures to get people out of this behaviour. This type of behaviour should be looked at and researched as this could start anti-social behaviours not wanted in our community!
• One of Patrcia's son's stood up and said thank  you  but what is need  in people's lives is the simple ' please' and 'thank you'. If everyone was like that we would not be here tonight. Thank you everyone for your support tonight!

Click Here for recent story on Channel 7 announcing last nights meeting!