Along with the new train timetable and some changes to bus services in other areas, the new Region 1 bus system, the whole new route map, takes effect from October 11.
Region 1 covers from the western part of Blacktown, to Penrith, Riverstone, past Richmond to Pitt Town and across to Glenmore Park.
Bus timetables are available now from the bus operators and http://www.131500.com/
Friday, October 9, 2009
Bus Users Survey Report Now Available
The Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR) has released the results of their survey of bus users in Sydney. In general, the results show very high levels of satisfaction, over 70%, for all the things that they asked about except one. On-time running was around 60% satisfaction because of more dissatisfaction with the Sydney Buses (mostly buses nearer to Sydney city) running not according to the timetable. Interestingly, the private bus operators, including all the Western Sydney operators, rated well; better than Sydney Buses for on-time running but worse for having timetables on bus stops.
You can see the report here: Bus Users Survey
You can go to the ITSRR website: www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au
You can see the report here: Bus Users Survey
You can go to the ITSRR website: www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au
Bus Stop Pictures
We want your best and worst bus stop pictures to post on this site. See the pictures on the left side of this blog. Send them to wsbustop@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Annual Taxi Licences To Be Issued
From NSW Transport and Infrastructure:
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/taxireform/
The NSW Government has announced reforms to the taxi industry which aim to get more taxis on the road, improving services for passengers. A new type of licence will be introduced which can be renewed each year and that will allow more people to get into the taxi market.
Anyone interested in running a taxi, including existing taxi operators and drivers, will have the option to obtain a new annual non-transferable licence from NSW Transport and Infrastructure. Existing transferable licences will still be able to be bought, sold and leased on the open market, but the Government will not be issuing any further tradeable licences.
For the Minister's Press Release click here
WSPTU has just made submissions regarding the improved use of taxi resources, particularly the use of multi-hire maxi-taxis, to assist fill the gap between the route bus system (which can require a lot of walking), the existing taxi system (which can be expensive) and the intensive door to door service provided by Community Transport for HACC elligible people (which has narrow elligibility criteria). This gap is effecting active people, who want to live independently, but who have some mobility difficulties and don't drive a car. This can be well older people, people with disabilites or single parents with young children - particularly if they are trying to do their shopping.
While simply increasing the number of licences will not directly help with that issue, it does show that there is some interest from the Government in improving the system for passengers. The reforms advocated by WSPTU require some regulation and legislative changes as well as some community education. The WSPTU changes would make the system more flexible and useful for a broader range of people.
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/taxireform/
The NSW Government has announced reforms to the taxi industry which aim to get more taxis on the road, improving services for passengers. A new type of licence will be introduced which can be renewed each year and that will allow more people to get into the taxi market.
Anyone interested in running a taxi, including existing taxi operators and drivers, will have the option to obtain a new annual non-transferable licence from NSW Transport and Infrastructure. Existing transferable licences will still be able to be bought, sold and leased on the open market, but the Government will not be issuing any further tradeable licences.
For the Minister's Press Release click here
WSPTU has just made submissions regarding the improved use of taxi resources, particularly the use of multi-hire maxi-taxis, to assist fill the gap between the route bus system (which can require a lot of walking), the existing taxi system (which can be expensive) and the intensive door to door service provided by Community Transport for HACC elligible people (which has narrow elligibility criteria). This gap is effecting active people, who want to live independently, but who have some mobility difficulties and don't drive a car. This can be well older people, people with disabilites or single parents with young children - particularly if they are trying to do their shopping.
While simply increasing the number of licences will not directly help with that issue, it does show that there is some interest from the Government in improving the system for passengers. The reforms advocated by WSPTU require some regulation and legislative changes as well as some community education. The WSPTU changes would make the system more flexible and useful for a broader range of people.
Friday, October 2, 2009
West Metro Social Impact Workshops
Notice from Hill PDA Consultants:
I am writing to invite you or your nominee to attend a consultation workshop concerning the West Metro. The aim of the workshop will be to discuss the potential social impacts of the proposed metro line for you and the communities / social organisations you represent.
The workshop will help to inform the Social Impact Assessment currently being prepared by Hill PDA. The Social Impact Assessment will form part of the Environmental Assessment that will be submitted to the Minster for Planning in early 2010.
Workshop Dates, Locations & Times
§ Thursday 8th October 2009 from 6:15pm to 7:15pm at Hill PDA’s office in Sydney CBD
RSVP by the close of business on Wednesday 7th of October
§ Tuesday 20th October 2009 from 5pm to 6pm at Burwood RSL
RSVP by the close of business on Friday 16th of October
§ Tuesday 27th October 2009 from 6:15pm to 7:15pm at Parramatta RSL
RSVP by the close of business on Friday 23rd of October
To find out more about the project you can:
1. Access the website at www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au
2. Call the toll free number 1800 636 910
3. Email your queries to info@sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au
I am writing to invite you or your nominee to attend a consultation workshop concerning the West Metro. The aim of the workshop will be to discuss the potential social impacts of the proposed metro line for you and the communities / social organisations you represent.
The workshop will help to inform the Social Impact Assessment currently being prepared by Hill PDA. The Social Impact Assessment will form part of the Environmental Assessment that will be submitted to the Minster for Planning in early 2010.
Workshop Dates, Locations & Times
§ Thursday 8th October 2009 from 6:15pm to 7:15pm at Hill PDA’s office in Sydney CBD
RSVP by the close of business on Wednesday 7th of October
§ Tuesday 20th October 2009 from 5pm to 6pm at Burwood RSL
RSVP by the close of business on Friday 16th of October
§ Tuesday 27th October 2009 from 6:15pm to 7:15pm at Parramatta RSL
RSVP by the close of business on Friday 23rd of October
To find out more about the project you can:
1. Access the website at www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au
2. Call the toll free number 1800 636 910
3. Email your queries to info@sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au
Four Corners looks at Transport in Sydney
ABC Four Corners Programme, 8.30pm, Monday, 05/10/2009
The Programme will examine the alarming transport disconnect between people in the suburbs of Australia's biggest city with major tracts of the west without public transport. Business owners unable to employ people unless they have their own car because of a lack of public transport and workers who spend at least four hours a day commuting to and from work.
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2009/s2702210.htm
The Programme will examine the alarming transport disconnect between people in the suburbs of Australia's biggest city with major tracts of the west without public transport. Business owners unable to employ people unless they have their own car because of a lack of public transport and workers who spend at least four hours a day commuting to and from work.
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2009/s2702210.htm
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Notes From the SMH Independent Transport Inquiry
Some very interesting information from the Public Inquiry presentation:
Western Sydney (includes Blue Mountains)
- Forecast increase in population between now and 2031 – 350,000 to 500,000 (does not take into account Australia’s revised population growth)
- Estimated increase in the number of dwellings between now and 2031 – 46%
- Estimated increase in the number of jobs between now and 2031 – 29%
- Key centre for Australia’s population growth (especially given Australia’s population is set to reach 35 million by 2035)
Macquarie is set to become Australia’s 4th largest employment and business centre within the next 2 years, it is currently bigger than Parramatta and has the highest GDP growth of any centre in Sydney including the CDB.
Approximately 55% of people who work in the Parramatta CBD commute by car whereas only 25% commute by train
In NSW $22.9 billion is spent on private motor vehicles each year whereas only $3.2 billion is spent on public transport (includes fares and State Government contributions) – this gives you an indication of how our society prioritizes its transport spending
The City Metro is budgeted to cost $5.3 billion to construct a system that will only be 7 kilometres long!
Finally a financial analysis of the cost of modes of transport per passenger kilometre:
- Private car $0.83 per passenger kilometre
- Bus $0.57 per passenger kilometre
- Train (heavy rail) $0.47 per passenger kilometre
Transport affects us all, especially given more than 50% of Blue Mountains residents who are employed commute from the Blue Mountains each day to get to work. Our tourism economy is dependent upon visitors being able to get to the Blue Mountains safely and easily. The Blue Mountains is more dependent on its transport links than any other local government area in greater Sydney except for the Central Coast.
The Blackheath Highway Action Group is working on a joint submission to the SMH Independent Public Inquiry.
Kind regards,
Michael Paag
Blackheath Highway Action Group
Western Sydney (includes Blue Mountains)
- Forecast increase in population between now and 2031 – 350,000 to 500,000 (does not take into account Australia’s revised population growth)
- Estimated increase in the number of dwellings between now and 2031 – 46%
- Estimated increase in the number of jobs between now and 2031 – 29%
- Key centre for Australia’s population growth (especially given Australia’s population is set to reach 35 million by 2035)
Macquarie is set to become Australia’s 4th largest employment and business centre within the next 2 years, it is currently bigger than Parramatta and has the highest GDP growth of any centre in Sydney including the CDB.
Approximately 55% of people who work in the Parramatta CBD commute by car whereas only 25% commute by train
In NSW $22.9 billion is spent on private motor vehicles each year whereas only $3.2 billion is spent on public transport (includes fares and State Government contributions) – this gives you an indication of how our society prioritizes its transport spending
The City Metro is budgeted to cost $5.3 billion to construct a system that will only be 7 kilometres long!
Finally a financial analysis of the cost of modes of transport per passenger kilometre:
- Private car $0.83 per passenger kilometre
- Bus $0.57 per passenger kilometre
- Train (heavy rail) $0.47 per passenger kilometre
Transport affects us all, especially given more than 50% of Blue Mountains residents who are employed commute from the Blue Mountains each day to get to work. Our tourism economy is dependent upon visitors being able to get to the Blue Mountains safely and easily. The Blue Mountains is more dependent on its transport links than any other local government area in greater Sydney except for the Central Coast.
The Blackheath Highway Action Group is working on a joint submission to the SMH Independent Public Inquiry.
Kind regards,
Michael Paag
Blackheath Highway Action Group
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