Mayors' Response To Whalan Bus Turning Issues And The Community's Solutions!

Click here for Mayors Response To Bus Turning Safety Issue In Whalan!

Council Results Regarding Safety Issues Overpass Or Walking Underpass For Commuters In Whalan NSW!

Check out results from Council re Gasmata Crescent Overpass issue for Commuters

Checkout Solution to Busways 674 Bus Drivers Access, Moresby Crescent Whalan - & Shortchanged with Bus Stop Issue, As Well!

Clich here: Whalan Bus Access Issues And Bus Stop Short Supplied To The Community!

Waikanda Crescent & Luxford Road, Whalan - Gets New Updated Bus Shelter!

Before

After

After reporting last year that the bus stop on the corner of Waikanda Crescent and Luxford Roads, Whalan that the bus shelter has disappeared or was. All is good now, Blacktown City Council  have organise a new bus shelter which fits  in with the modern era.

Bus shelters in the area are important to have. Any bus shelters we have are important to the community. We probably need more bus shelters,  to be provided to the community, especially to  provide sun, wind and rain protection to commuters , whilst waiting for  lengthy times for  the next bus service to arrive.

 For your information, the  new bus shelter proved to be exceptionally good for myself, as I was cycling around the area and within a few minutes there was great downpour of rain.

Mount Druitt Bike Route Number 10 - Blacktown City Council Needs Emergency Maintenance!

Soon I will be purchasing a bicycle and become a part time cyclist,  using it as an exercise option to become fitter with my wife and at time by myself.

I  have been to Blacktown City Transport Forums and  there is discussions about 'The Blacktown City Bike Plan' and the future of  it.  Although, I am proud Blacktown City Council and their Officers discuss these promotions and bike plans there needs to be a sense of urgency to ensure that the tracks/paths the bicycles are riding on are regularly checked every month, so that members of the community can used it.

Check mount Druitt Bike Plan route Number 10 - see what needs to be updated and maintained - maybe a new track should be  organised asap before there accidents. We do not want patch-up jobs - that is cheap and  not proper!

Click here to watch the video on Mount Druitt Bike Route 10

Australia Day 2014 Fireworks at Rooty Hill - Traffic Has Been Altered To Cater For Buses To And From The Event!

The event of the Australia Day Rooty Hill Fireworks for 2014 was outstanding and always leaves a mark of a great way to start the year with, which we should take pride in.

I noticed that the Traffic Management team at Black City Council has changed the traffic/parking conditions as was allowed to happen  for many years. 

You will notice safety barriers placed on Eastern Road, there was always the grassed area where cars were parking near to the Moreau Reserve event - now that means more parking on the hill or  further away from the event - which means this is a good opportunity to  promote  free shuttle buses to the event as previously promoted in other blogs:

Any way enjoy the Rooty Hill Fireworks Australia Day 2014 Moreau Reserve Click here. At at the event:

And....... The traffic on the hill:

Proper Pedestrian Access Required AT Mount Druitt - Currently A Major Hazard!

At the traffic lights of Luxford Road (entrance to Westfield Shops), the traffic lights have pedestrian access only head on one side of the street on the Western end.

I understand the  traffic lights have been there for quite a number of years, I just don't see how traffic transport stake holders have not notice the hazard it is causing. The funny thing is Mount Druitt Police Station is not that far.

I do hope this get fixed up as Council looks at safety of commuters who are entering the north part of Luxford Road from Shennan Walkway, Mount Druitt reaching the streets in North Mount Druitt.

You will see yourself visual evidence for yourself:

When there is no  pedestrian this is how cars will enter
 from Westfields
- Just imagine if a pedestrian gets hit!

Here is a pedestrian taking bought shopping risking her  life!

Hazardous Pedestrian Sign in Mount Druitt!

Yes, I know some people will say to me that pedestrian issues/access is not related to public transport - but  community members use  pedestrian access to get to and from bus stops, stops and other local community conveniences.

Although, this sign is from the entrance of  Luxford Road in the Westfield shopping grounds. I think Blacktown City Council should look at the safety of community members not sharing roads to prevent potential accidents/deaths.

Maybe the solution is to provide safe pedestrian access to the community to enter or leave the Westfield shopping grounds.

Cycle Ways: Plans And Visual Directions Need to Be Properly Provided To The Mount Druitt Community

Earl Street Mount Druitt 

As Blacktown has Cycling  Plans - we notice that most of the signs are on the ground level - yet a lot of cyclists would be watching in front of themselves for actual street signs on posts as well as the marked streets. 

In fact the street are weakly marked. If you asked  the  majority of Mount Druitt/ Blacktown residents didn't they know they  had a bike route in their area - they  answer would definitely be unknown.

This one is in Methven Street Mount Druitt

When you search for the bike plan it under the drop down box of  'Visiting Our City' Click Here - and the map is not clearly understandable as another one  that is available Compare it by clicking here!. So if you are not visiting our city (that is living in the city), you cannot find it! When you go to Google maps the cycle ways are different to Councils's Try it by clicking here!


So, I will be looking forward (in future to use the paths of the Council's bike plan), let's hope there is  simple signage that even attracts other members of the community to bike ride  - place the number of the Bike ride plan on the sign. Have outdoor maps promoting it. What more could I say?

Corner of Earl Streets and Hythe Streets
Mount Druitt

W e also have to ensure that the cycling tracks are  being maintained ( right picture shows two way cycling and pedestrian access and no maintenance on the kerb - grass is over growing).

The  below example of of a sign post from Parramatta Council could help a lot!

Example of Parramatta City Council sigange

Blacktown Council Response To ITMP - My Submission!

I have had a response to my own submission to Blacktown City Council Integrated Transport Master Plan .

I commend the initiatives taken by Council Officers to have the First BCC ITMP and although a lot of the suggestions is in day to day business of Transport for Council, it appears a lot of the  important issues are flagged off/passed onto NSW for Transport 'Because they have the final say/decision'. This in itself sends confusing signals as to whether Australia's most populated Council is seriously looking to promote more of the community to catch public transport within the Local Government Area, which in the long term can reduce costs to providing further roads widened, repairs of major or smaller roads, traffic congestion and parking issues in all streets, which can be overcrowding and  in streets. Attributing to a lower budget for Transport in Council's financial books, in the long term years to come.

We have got the buses that currently service NSW Bus Region 1, with recommendations provided from  Bus Companies and also Council as well. I feel it should be major strategic move that Council adopts a more stronger approach to Public Transport. How many Councillors catch public transport  and how many Council Officers catch public transport. If the majority of both do not catch public transport, this is probably where the core problem starts where there is no great emphasis to promote public transport.

This Plan is a plan of the future 20 years, my concern is that it doesn't seem to want to pick up short term plans suggested as it is a longer-term plan. Yet, as speaking to a Council spokesperson today, the short term plans should not be put aside plans for today or tomorrow as short term plans should be part of the BCC ITMP. The other aspect I was told it is based on infrastructure not services. 

That to me is a 'two way traffic' system that needs to be looked at in the plan: you can't have services without proper infrastructure but you cannot plan without knowing what services are required to cater for the future population, an important factor - one cannot go without the other.

Although, they say some of my suggestions are currently in the plan of  BCC ITMP the rest is out of their hands referred to Transport for NSW and their response will not be added to the plan. The BCC ITMP will be reviewed every year, remain on the website once all legal and technical aspects are checked.

We therefor need to change the way Local Council is interested in public transport if not they will be only interest to increase roads for the increase usage of private vehicles.

Please Click Here for my submission: (I believe that Council Officers have  support a majority of the suggestions provided to them). For that I thank them.

Wet'n'wild - Dry And Alone For Commuters In The Far Western Sydney!

Time and time again commuters in Western Sydney complaints about the lack of public transport to get to and from important events.

This time it is apparently difficult for  commuters from as far as the Mountains to reach the new Wet'n'wild in Prospect. This venue has been advertised in the wider community as, 'The most technologically advanced park in the world.' ( Refer to Wet'n'wild website - click here)

Yet it doesn't have the technological advances that is required commuters to be assisted to get to  the venue from Blacktown and far out west. Buses travel only from Parramatta (which covers commuters  from Parramatta to East of Sydney) but there are no bus services from either or all: Blacktown, Mount Druitt and/or Penrith.

So here comes an instance where local planners with NSW for Transport  did not consider providing services for the greater west of Sydney. Maybe someone will wake up and start organising this - even as part of  Blacktown's Integrated Transport Management Plan (ITMP) and the NSW For Transport Long Term Transport Master Plan.

So some commuters will feel 'Dry' getting to the new Wet'n'wild with not have proper public transport infrastructure implemented. The focus indicated from all stake holders is not to promote 'public transport access from the Greater West of Sydney. Let's see if the  all public transport stake holders -  focus on this public transport improvements!

Time Again To Promote Free Public Transport Buses/Taxis To The Blacktown City Council's 'Australia Day Event' 2014!

Here we are again coming to another  Australia Day - where  we would like to see improvements in public transport to get to the Rooty Hill Fireworks display, which  provide so many positive reasons for us to get these improvements implemented.

We all would like to enjoy the fireworks, put our feet up, relax, sit down when we are at the event where we prepare the great display of parachuting and fireworks that bring the residents of the Council area together. Sometimes we even bump into others we know and have that catch up chat that enables us to  bring that community involvement together.

Yet as we have proposed in the last couple of years, we seek Council Officers to provide and promote residents of the area to catch bus services and even maxi-cabs (for the disabled), from one of the 10 train stations that they live closest to: Mount Druitt, Doonside,  Rooty Hill, Blacktown, Seven Hills, Marayong, Quakers Hills, Schofields & Riverstone.

We seem to have new developments arising in the area in the last couple of years - Bunya and Ropes Crossing and The Ponds  and further future developments to come. Not inclusive of the  Blacktown Council Local Environmental Plan for the future were single residential areas have been earmarked to chnage and cater for the growth of population.

Fuel costs have risen in the last many years and as there are thousands upon thousands of motorists on the road, Local Governments  like Blacktown City Council can take the lead by providing free public transport  (by way of buses/maxi taxis), to make the celebration day of  'Australia Day' more comfortable and easier to get too. There  would be less traffic congestion on 'Rooty Hill' as buses could leave every five-ten minutes from all train stations within the area and return. A stream line of buses will be ready to take residents back to their destination at the end of the event.

Yet, for this to happen, there needs to be a great emphasis on promoting and providing extensive advertising - so that people know this is happening. That is local radio announcements, advertising in the calender events for  Council and definitely front page news on every local newspaper and even letter box droppings.

I don't personally know how much Council is funding the 'Australia Day' event and really I do not want to know. Yet I would like to see if Council Budgets can be changed to bring this  great free community service. The Council would be surprised how many cars will be left at home on that day!

Life would be so easy for many thousands as the word spreads.

Improvements In Public Transport Must Be Planned Before Catering For Local Growth In Population!

Improvements in community infrastructure, making life better for all the community can eventually mean improved public transport within the area.

A lot of local improvements for community infrastructure are approved a by Local, State & Federal Governments.We always appreciate this and we will eventually all accommodate new changes. This is although we are used to the old and find it difficult with the new.

Being involved in the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan and personally submitting a report  to the Blacktown Council's Integrated Transport Management Plan, I have grown up to learn that it is not good just looking after our own current lives not worrying of everyone's future. We all have an opportunity to plan for the future. If we don't, our future population will be left unplanned as it was in the early pioneering days of inner Sydney (Which I say was an unplanned City).

So, as we need to plan for the future, we need to get used to change. Harsh as it may be for some people who don't like changes or even instant changes 'Out with the old in with the new'.

Even myself, I sometimes find changes difficult to deal with. Yet when it comes to the worrying about the future and catering for the inevitable population growth that will happen tomorrow, next week, next month and also the following years to come, this is my concern.

Strategic plans should be put into place immediately, to ensure that, our land use can be utilised, for population increases we are going to get in 10 years, twenty years and beyond. Plans, discussions and input from today's community, all tiers of governments and  the business community have to be implemented.

So, in our urban community in Mount Druitt part of the Blacktown local government area, have to realise that we are living in 'quality  spaces of land'. This land which includes the houses we live in  may have 4 people living in land area size of 600 metres square. In years to come with median and high density living zones to be implemented in years to come, this will cause people to live  in housing areas of 200-250 square metres or less of land mass. Allowing for essentially more population to be accommodated for within the same land, we are currently living in. 

Major buildings and lands in major hubs will have to be redesigned to cater for the growing population, business and community services provided by Governments and the private sector. 

Before all this can be done, plans must be made for improvements in bus services in general, by ensuring there is is enough services, on the road running on time, comfortable, enough bus tops and shelters, to take the increased population to the daily destination.

There is a local issue that has  been raised in our local community, which I  look at from both sides of the coin and have come to a positive definite resolution that will silence all critics as and promote an improved future community.

It is the closing down of the Mount Druitt swimming pool. It does send a distress signal to the community when community services are reduced or cut down but there is the important issues lying in front of us that is not being raised by either side of  the local political pendulum.

Photo from The Daily Telegraph

The Mount Druitt Swimming Pool - run by Blacktown City Council for over 40 years. I have actually been there once in  23 years and have previously gone to Emerton Leisure Center or 'Ripples' St. Marys in the past.

Whenever I walk past the Mount Druitt Swimming Pool, I see a venue that it is not well occupied by the community;  I see little numbers of  community members using the pool compared to Emerton and St Marys Pool's. Maybe, past Council's have not promoted the well as a great community venue: No big advertising besides Council calenders and website. That is there was no advertising om the billboards on the side of Mount Druitt train station or Mount Druitt Bus Interchange, advertising family fun days, etc. and promotion of  public transport services to get there.

The above photo show how it really wasn't used by the community that well and more than half empty, plenty of seating!

I understand the Local Labor opposition's protest and rally to keep the pool open for the community but I find it extraordinary when, local identity Ben Price of Ben Price Real Estate Agent, son of a Former Federal Member of Chifley, Roger Price is looking to sell developmental median to High Rise units in Ayres Grove in Mount Druitt - around the corner from where where the Mount Druitt Pool is.

Click Here To View Ben Price Real Estate Agents Selling High Rise Properties

Now another factor to put into place, is 2 kilometers North East of Mount Druitt Swimming Pool is Emerton Swimming Pool as the crows flies and  on  the other side 1 kilometre  as the crow flies East there is the new 'Sydney Gymnastic and Aquatic Centre part of Rooty Hill R.S.L. This indicated we have 3 pools within  close proximity of each other.

So the conclusion is, the current Liberal/Independent Blacktown proposal to sell of the Mount Druitt Swimming Pool could  be  a step in the right direction to cater to the growing population even according prominent local identity's of Labor Party,who are selling land for that purpose.

But public transport planning must be put into action if any major land is sold to develop properties catering for the growth in future population.

Blacktown City Council Invites Public Transport Issues to be Registered on Council's Website

Blacktown City Council is working with commuters, to try to be the 'Cog in the Wheel' and motivated important changes to public transport.

This is a new innovation which has implemented under their websites  dropdown box of  'Visiting Our City' and then Trans and Access around your city:

Click to Register You Public Transport Issue/Forum

Let us know if it is useful and  what response have you had from Council. This is important for all of us to fill in and return to them - hopefully a response will come!

Bus Shelter Disappears In Whalan - We Seek Answers!

Last weekend Anne, Vice-President of Mount  Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. contacted myself and notified of the missing 'Bus Stop' at the corner of Waikanda Crescent and Luxford Roads Whalan.

This  is not the first time people of Mount Druitt have been taken away certain  Bus Shelter within the area of Mount Druitt ( refer to previous blogs).

Here is the previous blog on the bus stop at the corner of Waikanda Crescent and Luxford Roads Whalan:

http://mountdruittcommuters.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/bus-stop-2770194-needs-concrete-slab-to.html

And here are 2 ladies on last Sunday, using the shade of the tree 20-30 minutes up the road, whilst Blacktown City Council and Busways removed the shelter for no reason!

Click Here The Missing Bus Stop Video

Also find a video, where there is a young mother and her young baby, unable to shade the shade of the bus shelter and an elderly lady who can't sit down, standing with a cane, painfully.

And here is 2 ladies using the shade of the tree about 20 - 30 metres away from  where the bus stop is(they are in the  middle of the photo). This was an extremely hot day.

We do not want people to suffer when there  a bus shelter required and then removed.

Further Details In Relation To Obtaining A Blacktown City Council Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan Summary - I'm surprised!

Well as advised before  you can get a copy of the Blacktown City Council  Draft Integrated Transport  Management Plan Summary, now with ease. On Monday I was instructed  by a Council Officer that the  copies were sent to Mount Druitt and Blacktown Libraries and there would be Council advertisements in all local papers covering Blacktown LGA.

So I rushed to the Blacktown Max Webber Library and was told by the kind customer service officers that there is no exhibition and  no one knows where they are - after she checked with the Library Management - then she rang to speak to Customer Service Officer from The Mount Druitt Hub Library. Was advised they don't know of  any  documents that they had received. I wasn't upset. I was confused that an important document has been delayed and  not properly placed in the  libraries for exhibition by the  launch of the exhibition on the 25th September 2013.

I have been speaking to people at work and  on trains and buses promoting  this  important plan for future of Transport and public transport. I do understand that Council may be limited in how they can get the word across, I thought they would be  going out to Libraries having community meetings, publicizing the importance of people can have their say. But it it  just a few copies left on the table of a library and no poster, no announcements - that is no advocating for this just leave it that way.

Now  I believe that  copies have been received at all libraries with Blacktown City Council as follows:

Your Library

• Max Webber Library

  Cnr Flushcombe Road & Alpha Street
  Blacktown

• Our Library @ The Mount Druitt Hub

  Ayres Grove
  Mt Druitt

• Dennis Johnson Branch Library

  Cnr Stanhope Parkway & Sentry Drive
  Stanhope Gardens

• Riverstone Library & Digital Hub

  1st Floor, Marketown, cnr Market Street & Riverstone Parade
  Riverstone

• Lalor Park Branch Library

  Cnr Freeman Street and Northcott Road
  Lalor Park

Here is the actual details on the BCC Draft Integrated Transport Master  Plan - The First Of Its Kind In Blacktown

Public Exhibition

Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan

Exhibition Period:	25 September, 2013 to 26 October, 2013
File No:	46-24-5/4
Contact Officer:	Abdun Noor Senior Traffic Management Officer

Description

The Integrated Transport Management Plan (ITMP) is a document that will help guide the development of the Blacktown City transport system over the decades to come. 

It sets out a vision for a transport network in response to growth within and outside of Blacktown City which is sustainable, equitable and convenient. 

The challenge for Blacktown City is to cater for the transport needs for the predicted growth of the City to approximately 500,000 people and 180,000 dwellings by 2036. Whilst road infrastructure improvements are highlighted the plan also recommended a shift away from the reliance of car use towards more sustainable transport modes such as walking, cycling and public transport in order to cater for the forecast demand. 

The Draft Blacktown ITMP presents a plan to support Blacktown’s 2030 vision with action plans for short, medium and long term time frames consistent with community values and vision, and also consistent with broader State and Federal government policies. The ITMP also reports on the analysis undertaken for increased population and employment densities in the City’s four Urban Renewal Precincts, i.e. Blacktown City Centre, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill and Seven Hills. 

This ITMP details improvements and upgrades to the Transport Network that will be required by the year 2036. The Integrated Transport Plan has been prepared based on a review of State Government policies, including the NSW Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036 and NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan. The formulation of the Integrated Transport Plan has also considered other local strategy work, particularly the work relating to residential and employment lands development. 

Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan.pdf

Submissions

The exhibition period will run from 25 September, 2013 to 26 October, 2013. Parties wishing to make comment on the Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan are invited to forward written submissions to Council by 4.30pm on Saturday, 26 October, 2013, quoting file reference 46-24-5/4.
Submissions can also be forwarded to Council via email at council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au.

A submission by way of objection must set out the grounds of the objection. Any information included in submissions may be made available to third parties in accordance with relevant legislation. A Disclosure Statement must be lodged by any person making a submission where a reportable political donation or gift has been made to certain people or organisations within 2 years before the submission is made.

Further information in relation to when a Disclosure Statement is required, and a copy of the required form to make such a Statement, is available here or from the Blacktown City Information Centre on telephone number 9839 6000.

Information

All enquiries should be directed to Abdun Noor Senior Traffic Management Officer on (02) 9839 6000.


I have checked a local paper so far and found no adds relating to this so far - this may be interesting!



Click here for previous blog on this

Where Do You Obtain A Copy Of The Draft Blacktown City Council Integrated Transport Management Plan Summary?

This is where you can view as a summary what Blacktown City Transport Planners are doing for the future. Where do you find a copy of the Draft Blacktown City Council Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan: Easy, the answer to this this question is as I know is:

• Front Counter of Blacktown City Council 
• Blacktown City Council Max Webber Library
• Mount Druitt 'Hub' Library

There will be paid advertisements in the all local  newspapers in all of Blacktown Local government areas, which is a great way to get the message across.

I personally would like to see posters at all 12 Blacktown City Council train stations, inclusive of  bus  interchanges and advertisements inside buses and promotions at major shopping centres within Blacktown City Council. I could not see an exhibition stand at Blacktown Council Max Webber Library. I also assume that the same documents is at all   other libraries around the area.

Click Here for details of Draft Blacktown City Council Integrated Transport Management Plan

Public Transport Future FIRST Document For Blacktown City Council!

As reported in the previous blog, Blacktown City Council is  historically going to produce a plan for the future of public transport,  which they  are asking for community feed back. 

The community feedback is important as if there little or none - then Council may proceed with progress without knowing what the community needs. The initial planning has been going for almost a year and now it  is our to provide  feedback and  suggestions for improvements as part of the plan. 

The Blacktown City Council 'Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan' was launched yesterday and is a vital part of planning to ensure we cover  the future population growth that is expected to be around  500,000 in 2036. Also, it will need to look as to how  people can be moved from using private cars to public transport in getting to places.

Please share this information with your community and  community organisations so that everyone is encouraged to ' Have a Local Say!'

Here are summaries of the Blacktown City Council 'Draft Integrated transport Management Plan Summary':

Blacktown City Council Public Transport Forum Meeting Number 38 - 20/9/2013 NEWS!`

This was the third  Blacktown City Council Transport Forum, I was invited too.

Yesterday, we had representatives from  North West Rail as an overview from Transport  for NSW - the report indicated that 8 new railway stations 4,000 car spaces 15 km's of Twin Tunneling, 4 km's of elevated viaduct. The Track will be from Epping to Cudgegong Road.

Thee train will be a single deck services operating every 5 minutes ( 12 train services). Run on Headway time tables and  strain station will have platform screen doors for the safety of commuters and the trains will be known as rapid transport trains (driverless).

This is the first section of the North West Rail Link to be completed by 2019, to provide rail for the future and to meet population growth - to meet public transport needs, improved infrastructure. If the design o is right then then there is better reliability and commuting.

Extension of the North West Rail Link will go from Cudgegong Road train station , joining Schofields train station, Marsden Park and join into Mount Druitt train station.  Mount Druitt was picked up the the Minister of Transport one of the major train stations in Western Sydney.

4 boring tools will be 140 metres long and have the weight of 600 Holden cars. Cudgegong Road Train Station will  holding in  their yards up to 76 sets of trains and provide future maintenance for these train carriages.

I raised the question of Double Decker train carriages to carry more commuters, I was told that it was decision by the NSW Government to use these carriages for the rapid trans trains - Bart Basset  (NSW Member for Londonderry) discussed the relevance of  the NSW Government maintaining single service carriages to provide a more rapid trans as opposed to Double-Decker carriages which would at more time to the service and also confirmed this what the Minister of  Transport Gladys Berejiklian, wanted for Sydney Trains new service.

In  Stage One of  the North West Link there is $1.3 Billion on tunneling spent between Epping & Bella Vista, elevated viaduct in the tender process currently and the final part is the fit out of all new  train stations.

John Holland Theiss have won the tendering process for the tunneling and completed  70% of tunneling projects around Australia, totaling 1,200 km's  of tunnels.

The North West Rail Link  has been on the agenda for years as this  corridor has been preserved for the same time for the connection of the North West Rail Link.

The representative from NSW for Transport and North West Rail Link said, 'This is finally a project that is going ahead and we have't had one for a long time.'

Then another representative from Transport for NSW Edward Osiary,  provide a very good in depth discuss ion of local buses and the new time tables. He  advised his position with NSW for Transport was planning Bus and Ferry in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle - within the 0- 5 years of planning.

On a high positive note, he stated that if there is an increase of public transport mobility and patronage then  more finances can be found to improve public transport services and infrastructure for buses in Blacktown LGA.

Bus Region 1, looks at increased demands,  results from Blacktown City Council and NSW Government  survey, commuter travelling and patronage, feedback from 131500, letters from Member of Parliament, feedback from bus companies, NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan 2012 and any other available resources. 

The good news is there is only one bus service having reduced bus service  and  no removal of any services as there hasn't been much of an increase in patronage since last reviewed. With the new time tables Blacktown LGA coming up there will be increased services  in new areas like The Ponds, Eastern Creek and the T74 service to Balcktown.

The only services being decreased is the 721 not as frequently used as expected.

The bus service being introduced in the new time table are as follows:

752 Blacktown to Rouse Hill
T72 Blacktown to Quakers Hill
723 Extended service from Blacktown to Mount Druitt
726 Extended service from Blacktown to Bungarribee (Bunya    
       Estate)
800 Blacktown to Fairfield

In 2014  increase/new bus services
611 Blacktown to Macquarie Park
748 New service  from Blacktown to Colebee - limited services at
       first!
T70 Extra services from Blacktown to Castle Hill
825 New services from Prairiewood to St Marys via Eastern Creek
T65, 607X & 602 T-way services covering  the  new Erskine Park 
        Road- catering  for industrial areas.

Questions were raised of  bring back services taken away from important community areas and loss of vital service by Angela Plows - President Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group.

Then came the removal of the Blacktown  Free shuttle Bus removal - Edward claimed 9 free shuttle bus services were removed in sydney and that was based on an economical decision by the NSW Government. He claimed Blacktown Free Shuttle Bus  wasn't the worst shuttle bus with patronage and wasn't the  best from the ones removed.

Question raised was what was the criteria/kpi to keep the service - there was a direct response from Edward( he wasn't sure). Yet I explained what roughly was figure  that was obtain 1 or less commuter per kilometer.

Questioned was raised by a lady  from the audience  in relation to promotion of  public transport to the community what  is taking place? 

I also advised that by lack of  NSW Governments promotion of the service current and past governments that is what made the service been  removed . Edward agreed there could have been better promotion of this - yet this is dependent on available for  advertising on public transport!

I  later asked if  we get patronage figure on Sydney Trains train stations - why can't the public get the figures on bus patronage? I advised it is public transport and should be public knowledge.

He indicated it may be an issue as this may not be accessible pending the bus contracts - if it can be released.

Then  Nirab gave his discussion on Bike Plan you can obtain this on the Blacktown website -  23 bike plan route - 3% of the population either walk or use bikes.

Click here for BCC Bike Plan

Then there was a report from Abdun Noor which was  launching the  Blacktown City Council' Draft Integrated Transport Management Plan. This is a first in Blacktown Council's history as advised by Acting Manager for City Assets, Rudi Svarc. There been mention in many documents of transport but none ever produced before and as he told me personally this is something that is important to a growing city.

It is a plan and vision for the year 2036, A  plan that is to accommodate for the potential population increase of under 200,000 by the year 2036 and a sustaining living conditions. A plan to move people from using private cars to having efficient and reliable transport, better roads and that people have the connections need from their  local communities. What is important is  there is feedback from the community required by 23/10/13. This is a change to have your say, if you live in Blacktown. It talks about the 4 major shopping centres within the LGA Blacktown, Seven Hills, Rooty Hill and Mount Druitt and how and what infrastructure is required for the future  of public transport.

It does also look at the extension of the North West Rail link to reach Mount Druitt as mentioned before.

I suggest that all people living in Mount Druitt and Blacktown LGA,  submit your proposal for  you public transport and how you would like it to be by 2036. This is you chance to have your say?

You can go to the Blacktown City Council website and download the document http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ .  Written submission from the community can be forwarded to  The General Manager, Blacktown City Council, PO Box 63, Blacktown  NSW 2148 or e-mailed to council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au


Steve O'Grady from Busways commended Council for making bus stops more accessible compliant to DDA and has been tell other Western Sydney Council to follow Blacktown City Council and  advised they  have won  contracts from Westbus and Hawkesbury Valley Busabout for  NSW Bus Region 1 area covers Warragamba,  Richmond and Blacktown  from 26th October will be operating in all areas of region 1.

I present a report  on behalf of our group, Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. that reflected the positive decisions made by NSW Government for public transport improvements with the  2nd stage of the North West Link being extended to Mount Druitt electronic indicators at Mount Druitt - except not enough indicators on the platforms of mount Druitt.

I also provided a brief history of how the group started and why we are still trying to get essential bus services back in the area as well as  seeking improved bus  stops and infrastructure.

 Also commended Blacktown City Council for the Draft Integrated Management Plan and advised we will be provide feedback to council by 23/10/2013.

Improvements we seek are improvements in bus services as previously indicated, Larger Non-smoking signs at Mount Druitt Interchange and the policing of and also Mount Druitt Interchange  extended to cover the heavy traffic that is  in the interchange with buses and also a proposed free shuttle bus for Mount Druitt - yet we believe Council is looking into it.

Highly thanked Council for leading the way for accessible buses making them compliant to DDA, leading the way. and for inviting us to the forum that council held today.

People sometimes say that these forums are a waist of time, I totally disagree as they are part of a community and stake holders consultation looking to  provide future better  and improved public transport services and infrastructure.  People  can be heard - ans stake holders can listen! We have  to remember  that Public  Transport is made by the Government and used by the commuter!

As Blacktown City Council's motto is the 'City of Excellence' this was an excellent  Forum the  Blacktown City Council has organised.

If you want to see how the previous Blacktown City Transport Forum was read here: 
Click here for Previous Blacktown City Council Public Transport Forum