Yes, WSPTU has been invited to meet the NSW Minister of Transport, Gladys Berejiklian prior to the NSW Cabinet Community Meeting at Panthers on 1st July 2013.
We'll represent public transport issues that affect commuters on public transport seeking improved services and infrastructure and a very good result for Western Sydney.
Click Here For Original Blog on Invitation to the NSW Community Cabinet meeting at Penrith
Showing posts with label Penrith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penrith. Show all posts
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Free Shuttle Bus Losses In Western Sydney - Hit Hard!
See the short story on Doubt of Mount Druitt Free
Shuttle Bus Petition:
See the story of the Liverpool Free Shuttle Bus (mind you the picture of the Free Shuttle Bus is not from Liverpool!)
LIVERPOOL'S free "taxpayer-funded" shuttle bus will be cancelled so that money can be invested in new bus and train services.
Read the story of the Loss of the Penrith Free Shuttle Bus, what's good here is the State member for Penrith is not ruling the service out in the future:
UNDERUSED FREE BUS AXED
Passengers alight at Penrith railway station.
Shuttle Bus Petition:
Shuttle in doubt as services cut
A FREE shuttle bus for the Mt Druitt area is less likely to go ahead after the State Government dumped seven shuttle services, including Blacktown and Penrith, due to low patronage.
The $7 million spent by the State Government on running taxpayer-funded shuttles each year will instead be invested in new bus and train services.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said the patronage figures showed most of the shuttles only carried a handful of people each trip.
“We can’t afford to be wasting millions of dollars a year on ghost services that are not used,” she said.
Mt Druitt Commuters Improvement Group president Angela Plows was devastated. She said they had a 1700-signature petition for a free shuttle bus in Mt Druitt.
“We have lost so many bus services already in the area – what’s next?” she said.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement last week.
She said a review into the bus scheme found that the 12 free shuttle services across Sydney cost taxpayers about $7 million a year to run.
Ms Berejiklian said Liverpool was the worst-performing suburb, with only one passenger boarding every two kilometres on average.
The buses for the shuttle services in Blacktown, Bankstown, Cabramatta, Campbelltown, Newcastle and Penrith will also be used elsewhere.
Ms Berejiklian said the cost of these services could no longer be justified because so few passengers used them.
She said the most popular services — in Parramatta, Wollongong and the Sydney CBD — would be retained and changes made to the Kogarah and Gosford shuttle services on a trial basis, but that the other seven would be discontinued.
Liverpool MP and shadow attorney-general Paul Lynch said this move by Ms Berejiklian "treated the people of Liverpool with utter contempt".
"They [state government] can find plenty of money for the North West Rail Link but not enough to provide our free bus service," he said. "The service is particularly helpful for people with limited mobility and the elderly.
"I know lots of people who regularly use this service and will be disadvantaged by its abolition.
"This will particularly hurt people who can least afford not to have this service."
Read the story of the Loss of the Penrith Free Shuttle Bus, what's good here is the State member for Penrith is not ruling the service out in the future:
UNDERUSED FREE BUS AXED 
THE free shuttle bus service in the Penrith CBD will stop operating at the end of next month due to low patronage.
Passengers alight at Penrith railway station.
Penrith state Liberal MP Stuart Ayres said although the current Government had changed the route to try and get more residents to use it, the service still wasn’t being used.
“The figures speak for themselves. The bus has 0.7 patrons per kilometre. It was burning a hole in the taxpayer’s pocket,” he said.
“We haven’t been able to increase patronage. Penrith Council were involved in marketing it and didn’t work. There simply aren’t any other options.
“We have a very sound bus network that is in operation. Perhaps with population growth and the evolution of the Penrith CBD, something like this might be viable in future.’’
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said the bus was funded per kilometre by taxpayers and the Government could not afford to be wasting money that could be spent on other transport services.
“There is so much to do in transport we can’t afford to be wasting millions of dollars a year on ghost services that are not use,” she said.
Figures from the Transport for NSW showed the 12 shuttle services in Sydney cost more than $7 million a year to operate.
Ms Berejiklian also said the previous Labor government had introduced the shuttle services without proper planning.
“These nine routes were introduced either three months or less than one month before the last state election by Labor in a clear election stunt, all without proper planning and with little logic.
“In many cases they duplicated services that already existed,” she said.
Read the story from the Fairfield City Champion, regarding the axing of the Fairfield Free Shuttle Bus
Axing of free bus 'stingy'
THE free Cabramatta 88 shuttle bus service was cut in the state budget despite elderly and less mobile people heavily relying on it, says Cabramatta MP Nick Lalich.
Mr Lalich said the bus allowed people on fixed incomes in Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Canley Heights and Cabramatta West to get around.
"These shuttle services help people in our local area get by, making it easier for people who don't have cars to visit medical appointments and the shops and catch up with friends and family," he said.
"This free shuttle service was fought for and championed by local community members who saw a gap in public transport provision.
"The removal of the free shuttles is a stingy attempt by the O'Farrell Government to force people to pay more for public transport."
The Cabramatta bus service is one of nine free shuttles being discontinued across the state. There are three remaining. The cost to run the 12 shuttles was $7 million.
However, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said the free shuttle buses were carrying only a few people each trip.
"There is so much to do in transport we can't afford to be wasting millions of dollars a year on ghost services that are not used," Ms Berejiklian said.
Here is the story on the Blacktown Free Shuttle Bus Route Closure:
BLACKTOWN’S free shuttle service will be discontinued due to low patronage.
State Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced the end of the service last Friday so funding can be invested in new bus and train services.
It was one of seven free shuttle services across the state to be discontinued. Five, including the service in Parramatta, will be retained.
Patronage figures compiled by Transport for NSW show most of the 12 shuttles, which cost more than $7 million a year to operate, run small loops with only a handful of passengers.
“Each of these shuttles is funded per-kilometre by taxpayers and we can’t afford to be wasting money that could otherwise be spent on muchneeded extra transport services including those that will be introduced for bus and train customers in the October timetable and are desperately needed,’’ Ms Berejiklian said.
She said people who used the shuttles could make use of the more than 1000 additional bus services the government had provided where the shuttles operate.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Community Cabinet Visit -Western Sydney Stake Holder Meeting at Penrith Panthers!
This is to inform Western Sydney Commuters o f a NSW Community Cabinet Meeting to be held at Penrith Panthers 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith NSW, 6.30 pm - 8 pm.
This is not based on only public transport, yet it is a good opportunity for us to push for improvements in public transport in the Greater Western Sydney. A lot of areas are crying out for improved public transport as we all cater for a rising population and a push for median density housing in Local Government Areas around the Western Sydney.
Don't miss out! Even if you live in Liverpool, Blacktown, Parramatta, Richmond, Auburn, Bankstown, Camden, Rouse Hill and any other area in Western Sydney.
So if you would like to come along to this event - all you will need to do is respond to the R.S.V.P. by sending e-mail to:
communitycabinet@dpc.nsw.gov.au
After this meeting you e-mail/ contact us to give us your feedback!
This is not based on only public transport, yet it is a good opportunity for us to push for improvements in public transport in the Greater Western Sydney. A lot of areas are crying out for improved public transport as we all cater for a rising population and a push for median density housing in Local Government Areas around the Western Sydney.
Don't miss out! Even if you live in Liverpool, Blacktown, Parramatta, Richmond, Auburn, Bankstown, Camden, Rouse Hill and any other area in Western Sydney.
So if you would like to come along to this event - all you will need to do is respond to the R.S.V.P. by sending e-mail to:
communitycabinet@dpc.nsw.gov.au
After this meeting you e-mail/ contact us to give us your feedback!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Announcement of New Bus Contracts
This could be very important for people in Greater Western Sydney.
Transport for NSW has announced the successful tenders for the bus contracts in several regions including Region 1 (Penrith to Blacktown) and Region 3 (Liverpool, Fairfield, Holroyd).
Busways was successful for Region 1 and Transit Systems Australia was successful in Region 3. Busways www.busways.com.au is well known to people in Region 1 but the other existing service providers, Westbus and Hawkesbury Valley Buses, appear to have missed out on contracts in Region 1.
The new contract for Region 3 has gone to Transit Systems Australia. They seems to be a new business in Western Sydney http://www.transitsystems.com.au/overview . Previously Region 3 was operated by a consortium of MetroLink, Busabout, Hopkinsons and Westbus. It's unknown what will happen with those businesses. http://www.a3mc.com.au/
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-bus-contracts-benefit-customers-and-taxpayers
Transport for NSW has announced the successful tenders for the bus contracts in several regions including Region 1 (Penrith to Blacktown) and Region 3 (Liverpool, Fairfield, Holroyd).
Busways was successful for Region 1 and Transit Systems Australia was successful in Region 3. Busways www.busways.com.au is well known to people in Region 1 but the other existing service providers, Westbus and Hawkesbury Valley Buses, appear to have missed out on contracts in Region 1.
The new contract for Region 3 has gone to Transit Systems Australia. They seems to be a new business in Western Sydney http://www.transitsystems.com.au/overview . Previously Region 3 was operated by a consortium of MetroLink, Busabout, Hopkinsons and Westbus. It's unknown what will happen with those businesses. http://www.a3mc.com.au/
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-bus-contracts-benefit-customers-and-taxpayers
Friday, November 20, 2009
Victory For Residents
Here are excerpts from an article in the Penrith Press by Nicole Hasham. Susan Day and the South Penrith Action Group are members of the WSPTU.
Susan Day of the South Penrith Action Group, which spearheaded the community campaign, said “people power” meant authorities had reversed plans to scrap four important routes.
“We held meetings and forums and lobbied hard to keep services, and they’ve listened to us - they had no choice,” Ms Day said.
“But Glenmore Park seems to have missed out and St Marys has lost services”
But Warragamba’s Lori Jeromin was left fuming after south-bound services from Penrith were slashed.
“There’s one bus at 9am and not another one until 2pm - it’s really shocking,” said Ms Jeromin.
Many older Warragamba residents had been left housebound by the changes, she said.
For the full story go to www.penrithpress.com.au
Susan Day of the South Penrith Action Group, which spearheaded the community campaign, said “people power” meant authorities had reversed plans to scrap four important routes.
“We held meetings and forums and lobbied hard to keep services, and they’ve listened to us - they had no choice,” Ms Day said.
“But Glenmore Park seems to have missed out and St Marys has lost services”
But Warragamba’s Lori Jeromin was left fuming after south-bound services from Penrith were slashed.
“There’s one bus at 9am and not another one until 2pm - it’s really shocking,” said Ms Jeromin.
Many older Warragamba residents had been left housebound by the changes, she said.
For the full story go to www.penrithpress.com.au
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Transport Shake Up in Penrith
Penrith Weekender Online
Penrith residents who utilise public transport may soon find their regular routine changing, with a new bus timetable and new train timetable coming into effect next month.
The changes to the bus network follow extensive community consultation that yielded over 1,600 public responses, and local members Karyn Paluzzano and Diane Beamer are encouraging the community to check out the results.
“Many of the proposals originally put out have been changed as a direct result of community feedback, so I am grateful that people took the time to make a submission,” Ms Paluzzano said.
Susan Day of the South Penrith Action Group is one of many locals eager to see the new timetables when they are released on September 14.
“On a positive note, it proves as a group we forced the Government to listen to us, that we would not just accept the reduction in services without a fight and we put up a great fight,” she said.
“However, I am disappointed with the timing of the announcement and the release of the new timetables, with them not being available until the 14th of September. People will be left wondering and this will cause real worry for some wondering if they were actually listened to and if their service has been increased/decreased or has finished.”
A spokesperson from Transport Minister David Campbell’s office said many of the changes were established as a direct result of feedback from the local community, such as Route 791, which next month will operate as a full-time service seven days a week, with evening services provided.
“This will mean residents in South Penrith and parts of Jamisontown have improved access to both the Penrith CBD and Southlands Shopping Centre, as requested by the community during consultation,” the spokesperson said.
“This will provide one consistent route replacing the current evening and weekend service that operates in one direction only, and has generated local concern over a number of years.”
Meanwhile Route 790 will soon be known as Route 770, and extend to Mt Druitt as well as run later into the evening.
In addition, a 793 local service will be introduced, serving parts of South Penrith adjacent to the 791 six days a week, providing direct access to Penrith for residents unable to walk to the 791.
“The changes improve consistency of the network, making it easier to understand, and gives residents of St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton and Oxley Park direct access to Penrith,” the spokesperson said.
“It also introduces a direct link from Penrith and Cambridge Park to Mt Druitt, and new services to the Erskine Park Industrial area for the first time.”
New timetables can be collected onboard buses or downloaded from operator websites, and will come into effect on October 11.
Penrith residents who utilise public transport may soon find their regular routine changing, with a new bus timetable and new train timetable coming into effect next month.
The changes to the bus network follow extensive community consultation that yielded over 1,600 public responses, and local members Karyn Paluzzano and Diane Beamer are encouraging the community to check out the results.
“Many of the proposals originally put out have been changed as a direct result of community feedback, so I am grateful that people took the time to make a submission,” Ms Paluzzano said.
Susan Day of the South Penrith Action Group is one of many locals eager to see the new timetables when they are released on September 14.
“On a positive note, it proves as a group we forced the Government to listen to us, that we would not just accept the reduction in services without a fight and we put up a great fight,” she said.
“However, I am disappointed with the timing of the announcement and the release of the new timetables, with them not being available until the 14th of September. People will be left wondering and this will cause real worry for some wondering if they were actually listened to and if their service has been increased/decreased or has finished.”
A spokesperson from Transport Minister David Campbell’s office said many of the changes were established as a direct result of feedback from the local community, such as Route 791, which next month will operate as a full-time service seven days a week, with evening services provided.
“This will mean residents in South Penrith and parts of Jamisontown have improved access to both the Penrith CBD and Southlands Shopping Centre, as requested by the community during consultation,” the spokesperson said.
“This will provide one consistent route replacing the current evening and weekend service that operates in one direction only, and has generated local concern over a number of years.”
Meanwhile Route 790 will soon be known as Route 770, and extend to Mt Druitt as well as run later into the evening.
In addition, a 793 local service will be introduced, serving parts of South Penrith adjacent to the 791 six days a week, providing direct access to Penrith for residents unable to walk to the 791.
“The changes improve consistency of the network, making it easier to understand, and gives residents of St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton and Oxley Park direct access to Penrith,” the spokesperson said.
“It also introduces a direct link from Penrith and Cambridge Park to Mt Druitt, and new services to the Erskine Park Industrial area for the first time.”
New timetables can be collected onboard buses or downloaded from operator websites, and will come into effect on October 11.
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