NSW Treasurer Speaks On Public Transport Budget 2012-2013

You have to be a good economist to comprehend the  Public transport speech of the NSW Treasurer, Mike Baird.

For me, it shows the bigger picture but doesn't touch on local transport issues and I suppose the NSW Government does work on the bigger picture but we want them to understand, it starts from the local community planning.

Whilst I and (we as a group and community) do not decline and compliment any public transport improvements, it seems like the NSW Government  should be focussing on getting local communities planning to connect public transport to other local communities. Then and only then the lateral thinking of public transport future planning is being accomplished.

With new technology coming on board Opal ticketing system, this will need to be introduced so all commuters understand the new system and also the Automated Train Protection, when rolled out the same understanding given to all commuters.

What is missing in the Budget I see is promotion of public transport by way of media advertising - if $10M could be spent to promote Greater Western Sydney Transport , this will reduce congestion on roads, estimates long private driving queues and expenses, provide a better life for commuters and a potential to promote further tourism not only in the Greater West but in Sydney itself.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

$397 million for the South West Rail Link, supporting population growth and delivering new services for SouthWest Sydney

$360 million for the North West Rail Link – the most

significant expansion of the rail network in decades

$148 million to improve access to railway stations, ferry wharves and transport interchanges

$124 million to roll out the ‘Opal’ electronic ticketing System

 Public Trading Enterprise Infrastructure Investment

While capital expenditure in the regulated energy and water industries underpins the quality and reliability of services provided to consumers, the Government is conscious of the pressures this places on consumer prices. Ensuring the appropriate balance between asset standards and timing of investment and quality of service can reduce cost of living pressures on consumers of energy and water.  In this context PTE capital expenditure in areas other than public transport is now forecast to be less than reported in the 2011-12 Budget.

At the total state level, infrastructure spending is expected to peak in 2013-14, reflecting progress on rail projects and the capitalisation of the Royal North Shore Hospital PPP. Over the four years to 2015-16, infrastructure spending at the total state level is broadly similar to the original estimates for the years to 2014-15 in last year’s Budget.

Investment to 2015-16 will focus on transport and electricity

Over the four years to 2015-16, the State’s infrastructure investment will total $61.8 billion, comprising $26 billion in the general government sector and $35.9 billion in the PTE sector. 

The NSW Liberals and Nationals 2012-13 Budget includes a massive $13.2 billion investment in public transport and roads, with a major focus on building new transport infrastructure where it isneeded most. 

This Budget puts a priority on progressing major transport infrastructure initiatives that will improve the day to day experience of customers, such as the North West Rail Link and South West Rail Link, extension of light rail and introduction of electronic ticketing, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said. 

This Budget shows we are getting on with the job we said we would do and building for the future of this State.

The former Labor Government failed to do the hard work that allows projects to be delivered  we are a disciplined Government focused on delivering the improvements the people of NSW deserve.

Early construction work will start on the North West Rail Link later this year with $360 million to fund the preparation of major construction sites, property acquisition and the second Environmental Impact Statement.

The Budget allocates a massive $3.3 billion over the next four years for the construction of the North West Rail Link.

Budget funding also allows the North West Rail Link project team to prepare for the awarding of the major construction contracts, with major tunnelling scheduled to start in 2014.

This Budget caters for major population growth in South West Sydney, with $397 million set aside to continue crucial construction of the South West Rail Link.

In recognition of the increasing customer demand for bus services, this Budget includes spending of more than $127 million to acquire 269 buses for Sydney and the outer Metropolitan area.

Customers will also see real progress on an enhanced and integrated public transport network as part of our promise to correct years of neglect and bring the States transport services to a world class standard.

This means the introduction of simple electronic ticketing, better passenger information systems and money dedicated to accessible, modern and secure transport infrastructure.

Other 2012-13 Budget highlights include:

$124 million towards delivering electronic ticketing for ferries, trains, buses and light rail across the greater Sydney region. The Opal card will begin to be rolled out on ferries at the end of the year.

$116 million to begin construction of the 5.6 kilometre Inner West Light Rail Extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill, including nine new stops. An extra $25 million to plan for future light rail development.

$148 million in funding this year for the new Transport Access Program to improve access to the public transport network, including station upgrades, better accessibility to CityRail Stations, improved parking and transport interchanges and commuter wharf improvements.

$84.5 million to progress the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program to improve the capacity and reliability of freight trains travelling on the Main North Line between North Strathfield and Broadmeadow (near Newcastle). A further $9.86 million to contribute to work on the Southern Sydney Freight Line.

$61 million towards building the Wynyard Walk - a new pedestrian link that will connect Wynyard Railway Station with Barangaroo and the western CBD, providing greater capacity to move pedestrians to the city™s west where demand is set to increase.

$95 million for infrastructure upgrades for the rollout of the new Waratah trains.

$215.6 million on major maintenance to improve safety and reliability across the RailCorp network, including replacing sleepers, renewing bridges, modernising overhead wiring and resurfacing station platforms.

More than $114 million on the Clearways Program to improve on-time running and capacity on the CityRail network. Funding in this year™s Budget will allow work to continue on the Liverpool Turnback program and the Kingsgrove Revesby quadruplication.

$32 million towards the purchase of 99 new outer suburban Oscar trains for the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.

$4.6 million to improve ferry wharves by replacing hydraulic ramps at Circular Quay and Manly which will help customers board and disembark.

$2 million to boost community transport services in communities across the State, taking the total contribution to community transport to $6.8 million in 2012-13.

$182 million for the Country Regional Network, including $117 million for network
maintenance, $43 million for new sleepers on tracks and $3.2 million to renew bridges.

Major investment in rail safety programs, including $50 million to progress the roll out of Automatic Train Protection, $50 million towards the State™s Digital Train Radio program and $14.5 million towards the provision of Internal Emergency Door release systems on carriages

$2.2 million to improve and upgrade passenger information systems including audio systems on CityRail trains to provide more accurate and reliable information to customers about their services.