Another Win for Mount Druitt Community - New Bus Time Tables Available in Mount Druitt fro Busways Services!

New  Busways time tables are now being issued for the following bus services in and around Mount Druitt:

721, 722, 724, 725, 726, 727, , 737, 738, 739, 739V, 740, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 757, 758, 761, T71, T74 & T75.

Another win for the Mount Druitt Community is the 739V which is now going to be driving down Frank Street, which will cover the  southern part of Mount Druitt from Frank Street and surrounding  suburbs - resounding  win for Peter Kerr from our group that has continually been lobbying for bus service to go down the full length of the street.

Although it is a limited bus service, it will be up to the local community to provide  good patronage to this service so that the service will be retained.

It goes to show that Peter  had stood very strong for the community with public transport and myself I am so proud of him


Click Here for new time tables to Busways services

New Mount Druitt Website - Covers Areas We Cannot Cover!

We are an well established public transport group , for the last few years and we always come to issues that are community involved. Sometime people say to us we are  going away from public transport to other issues, that may be true!

Yet in other cases it is like saying what topic of a dinner conversation is not sports or politics? I have decided (separate from the group ), to start a Facebook  Group and the a website on 'What I love about Mount Druitt'.  This will be a community website that encourages people to e-mail myself  and ask for things to be done in the community, without even talking to relevant authorities.

This in itself, with support the advocacy for  improvements in public transport as  improvements are made and known to the community.

Click here for 'What I love about Mount Druitt website!'

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!

More Security To Feel More Secure -Mount Druitt Commuter!

Just over a week ago Shireen from Mount Druitt travels from Mount Druitt to Parramatta and return using Sydney Trains.

Requires more security sometime to feel more secure anytime. There should be more security  patrolling more trains in each way  Shireen travels on trains. Would like to them patrolling at least 3 times per week: this would mean less hurt to people travelling at commuters and more people would be  encouraged to  catch more trains, therefor leaving less cars on the road.

Blind and Vision Impaired Commuters With Sydney Trains Announcements!

Dan from Mount Druitt Village trans by Sydney Trains to City of Sydney and Penrith.

Most of the time I talk to able commuters, who do not have any disability in their livelihood. Yesterday, I was glad to meet Dan who is an vision impaired or blind commuter, need  limited assistance to get to destinations by trains.

With Time table information, he advised in Perth there are Information boxes for buses on bus stops - all you have to do is pres it and it tells you when the next time the bus is arriving with the route number announced as well. This is also on train stations in Perth. This is not something that could be done now on bus stops and train trains all over Sydney or the Greater Western Sydney, yet it could be something  to be considered for the future.

Announce on trains for vision impaired and blind commuters is generally good,  yet sometimes make him unsure when the next train station  of his destination is coming up. Mostly he finds the announcements are clear 50/50. They come out  distinct, clear and a good volume. 

The newer train carriages released on the T1 Western and North Shore Line are pretty much perfect, unless they are out of synchronization. In fact his experience one day was coming back from the City to Mount Druitt it was announced on the train carriage was 'Mount Druitt but' actually the next train he got off on was 'Rooty Hill'. It wasn't too bad as he waited 10 minutes for  next train to pick him up from Rooty Hill and then get off one train station later at Mount Druitt.  It really inconvenienced himself  on that day.

he doesn't get buses as he cannot read the bus route numbers/signs on the buses. We both thought that Transport for NSW could look at  developing a system where  vision impaired or blind commuters could be sent a text  a voice recorded message of the phone, indicating when the next bus arrives, route number etc. This would be  a special announcement that could be pre-arranged prior to catching the catch  via the website 131500 or contacting 131500. 

This was just one of many ideas that could be done to improve services for the vision impaired and blind commuters.

'Big Time Relieved Commuter' for Quieter Train Carriages After Constant Talk!

A nice lovely young lady from  Mount Druitt, Reika takes a 10 minute walk from home to Mount Druitt train station, then catches Sydney Trains from Mount Druitt to Town Hall and return trip as well, weekdays.

The funny thing  is  she laughed at  myself , before she spoke and  the reason was there was another 'Seat Hogger' on a three-seater, which when I asked to sit down, not only  moved from middle to right to right, moved right out of the seat and  walked away. This was just leaving Parramatta train station! It was just so funny the way she left as if my sitting in the middle of the seat caused her move away!

 I have blogged before about Seat Hoggers and they are around!

Anyway back to Reika, she advised firstly she would like to have more  quiet carriages  and secondly has experienced train carriages not being quite one morning when 3 young people were 
constantly talking from Mount Druitt until they got off at Parramatta. This happened last week on the 5.45 am train, which was based on the old time tables, when they got off the train she was 'relieved big time!'

 Reika would like Sydney Trains and the NSW  Police to provide on-the-spot harsh penalties of $20.00 each for each commuter. On a lighter note, light penalties could be silver coin donations to a charity- well we both laugh on this one!

What  do you think should be done to make Quieter trains carriages quieter?

Click Here for Quite Carriages Information from 131500 website


Editors Notes 2/11/13: due  to one of the below comments being received, I would like to thank the community member that  advised and has corrected myself that the Quite Carriages are for NSW Train Link Customers not Sydney Trains.

In saying that I  have caught 2 Quiet trains so far on NSW Train Link services. I now would like to see if we do get Quiet carriages on  with Sydney Trains.

Electronic Indicators On Each Sydney Trains And Cheaper Train Fares Compared To Adelaide!

A virgin male commuter called Salman, from within our local area had yesterday been travelling on Sydney Trains for only 3 days.

Today  he was travelling from Mount Druitt and return to Wynyard for a job interview and made sure he reaches his destination early, preparing himself for the interview. Originally recently moved  from Adelaide, comparing public transport trains fares with Adelaide, fare are more expensive in Sydney.

In Adelaide commuters use a  'Metro Card' and pay $1.80 for a 2 hours of public transport usage, which in buses as well. Today it costed him $9.00 return for his journey. He thinks that the difference is in  Sydney there are more commuters using Sydney Trains rather than Adelaide which may fewer commuters.

After using public transport in Sydney he is now considering  to purchase a vehicle and travel by private transport. I explained to him of the  fares which may be cheaper overall and this may change his mind to  keep on using public transport!

In the three days he has been travelling on Sydney Trains, he has noticed that  not all train carriages have electronic indicators inside the carriage and as a new commuter he has to listen to  announcement at train stations to understand when his  train station is approaching. He says to reduce cost NSW for Transport could look at installing these electronic indicators on train carriages rather than supplying new train carriages temporary, this would  allow commuters like Salman (new or virgin commuters), with a better knowledge of where he is heading while on its journey.

Empty Train At Peak Hour Yesterday Heading Hone - Unusual!

Allan, a retiree from Mount Druitt, explained to myself yesterday when he arrived at Wynyard Station he was advised to catch a train  to Strathfield to then catch the Western Line train to Mount Druitt.

 The train he caught came from Epping and arrived at Wynyard. According to him there may have been an announcement as to why there was no direct train from Wynyard as the announcements were made on the platform and he  doesn't remember if the reason for 2 two was announced.

 His issue he hopes is solved with the train time tables is coming from from the city at around 3.25pm it is an all train stations to Mount Druitt (which takes time), he was hoping the new train time tables did reduce the number of sopping stations at that time as next train is about 20 minutes away. He will check the Sydney Trains new train tables in the mean time.

Check out the train from Parramatta that had hardly any commuters in this train, I was wondering if the next Sydney Trains journey (to Mount Druitt) would have been packed?

Simply Increase Sydney Train Services And Waiting Times Reduce - Better Life!

When I meet new commuters on the train/bus I don't know their name, suburb where they live or if they hate or like public transport. Yet, unknown to them here comes an ugly looking old man, working his way to break the ice as to reaching the people's mind and  know what is it that they want to see improved in any aspects of public transport.

So here was  well spoken and educated Vivian from Mount Druitt, who loves to do one thing on trains. That is, she loves reading thick novels  by relaxing on Sydney Trains Trips as this is the only time she has to  read them.  Vivian confirmed she isn't a fast reader - to me she reads with quite ease.

So Vivian uses Sydney Trains from Mount Druitt to Central or Town Hall pending how she feels (maybe to read an extra page or two) and then sometime tales the Light Rail to Pyrmont  for Work.

Her issue that she  would like to see improved is improving frequency of train services  in the Peak time from 15 minutes to 10 minutes, because if she or any commuter misses a train there is a 15 minute wait, which can be a long time, when we are all trying to balance our lives and spend more time at home to enjoy life.

Simply, she suggests that put on more trains on the Western Line to increase of services times, reducing waiting times on Sydney Trains and this would make not only her life easy also any other commuters living in the Greater Western Sydney.

What do you think is this what you feel? Let's here from you!

Night Train Commuter - Requires More Safety Patrolling Trains- Mount Druitt Commuter!

Raymond from Mount Druitt travels by Sydney Trains from Mount Druitt to Parramatta and sometimes to Town Hall and he travels on his return trip home latest about 10.00 pm.

He feels strongly for safety issues on Sydney Trains is that there are a lot of commuters being sick and drunk at nights. Also what is not good is the amount of bad language used  and people get away of it. Other issues are sometimes Sydney Trains provide late train services up to 8-10 minutes and not known why they re cancelled or late.

Safety is all about providing more patrolling of Sydney Trains especially late at night, although it is hard. Previous transit officers didn't have the power to arrest and remove commuters who are upsetting others. Panic buttons must be available on train stations, allowing commuters to speak to relevant safety officers.

Maintenance and checking of train carriages before they are released into service, ensuring they are in good working order Old trains needs to be replaced. Newer trains to solve one thing to reduce timing delays.

Check Out Barrier Counts In/out of Visual Train Station - Mount Druitt Figures!

Here is a visual  graph showing you the recent usage of daily use of barriers. Bear in mind that there are a lot of people that do not  use tickets to exist barriers especially when the wide gates are open.

If you want to check out your train stations here it is:
Click here for other Sydney Trains Barriers

Mount Druitt

Barrier counts through station 14,820  24 hours, 2012      10K

k

Mount Druitt Train Station Has New Temporary Seating Arrangements!

I wonder how Sydney Trains would appreciate the new temporary seating arrangement on Mount Druitt train station. We have people that are really thinking hard of making their life easy, while waiting for the  train.The only problem is he is facing away from where the trains arrive!

When I checked the platform out there was ample seating as well.

Elderly Commuter With Less Paying Windows in Mount Druitt - Rooty Hill South Commuter!

Chris from Rooty Hill South is a regular commuter  that has various issues in relation to public transport within Mount Druitt.

He has to travels to the City various times in a week for medical reasons and that because there are no accessible lifts in Rooty Hill as yet, he catches taxis to and from Mount Druitt as he has a walking cane, used by each hand to assist his ability to walk. This, in itself is very costly for him, if if there was a lift at Rooty Hill  his  living costs would have been down.

When he reached Mount Druitt yesterday morning, at around 9.20am - there was a very long queue and only one service counter available  for him to pay his concession fare. His train was due in 8 minutes. When he peeked in the the office of Mount Druitt Train station he had seen 2 employees doing paperwork. He felt that it is the NSW Government's responsibility to ensure that at least 2 windows should be open, to accommodate commuters to pay for their fares, ensuring there is ample time to reach his train.

As a major Commuter train station in Sydney, in Mount Druitt, he is not in a position to use the electronic ticketing machines because of the concession tickets, they have to be verified by Sydney Trains Customer Service representatives. Every day this happens and if he misses the fast train for this, the next train is all stations, making his journey longer.

Modern Mount Druitt Train Station Information

Here is great information for Mount Druitt commuters and even the wider commuter community.

We normally do not understand how important and big Mount Druitt is as a public transport hub until we compare against other train stations, especially in Western Sydney. So here are some interesting acts been provided to myself yesterday from a NSW transport Officer.

Now the NSW Government is steering away from the labeling employees of former Sydney Rail as Station Assistants, they are now been given a different image of representing Sydney Trains as Customer Service Representatives. This allows them to  really become the forefront of Customer Service for Sydney Trains, allowed to provide information that promotes the best interests for the community.

In the Western Sydney sector of Western Sydney ( which covers within the train stations of Carlingford,Richmond, Auburn, Emu Plains), Mount Druitt is 3rd in Revenue Sales and Ticket Issues. Parramatta being 1st and then Blacktown 2nd. Ticket issues are not perceived as complaints from commuters it is the ticket office issuing tickets to commuters.

The current Western Line Customer Service Manager position is still vacant at the moment, whilst the job's area of responsibilities has been reduced substantially. At present the station Master for Penrith is the acting Manager. The reduced areas of responsibility are from Emu Plains all stations to Blacktown*. Once a month the New Customer Service Manager comes to each train station to complete all the book work for the month, providing assistance to each station, also responsible for smaller stations and their revenues. At present Duty Managers from each train station are responsible for each stations day to day running.

The other thing that is educational for us, is the Electronic Indicator signs/boards compared to what Sydney Trains use. All to do with information technology, the electronic indicator boards/signs we see is called an 'LIC' system, which although is showing what we call the real time of a departure. It is still not accurate meeting actual departing times. 

'LIC' is controlled in a central building and is well controlled, secured and well staffed.

The problem I had was that it had indicated on the board 3 minutes to go on the public electronic board/sign yesterday, yet on platform 1 the train was leaving. This can set frustration with other commuters as opposed to myself who can take it calmly!

In the Station office, the they also have the 'TLS' system, which is the train locator system, which works on sensors on the tracks which indicate where the train is. This system is more reliable and not integrated with the 'LIC' systems as yet. If it was it would provide more accurate information systems to Mount Druitt commuters and also commuters from all over other places.

*Emu Plains, Penrith, Werrington, Kingswood, St Marys, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Doonside and Blacktown train stations.

Extra Electronic Signs Required - The Reason Why & Part Solution For Vision Impaired Commuters!

A NSW Transport Officer had indicated to myself that Mount Druitt, was short-changed with  electronic sign boards. What is needed in Mount Druitt is another electronic indicator board that allows to show express train services or special train services  for special events, as other major train stations have.

Also a part solution for vision impaired commuters voice announcements being made. This saves them having difficulty reading signs and is only a part solution.

Click here for one blog on New Electronic Signs At Mount Druitt

Click here for second blog on New Electronic Signs at Mount Druitt

Migrant Student's Suggestion On Public Transport Fares For Migrants - Mount Druitt Commuter!

Every day, our  Australian, New South Wales and Mount Druitt population grows arising from natural birth, natural migration or as refugees.  So today Tadese from Mount Druitt has provided his belief of how immigrants should be treated in relation to public transport.

Tadese has two months ago migrated from Ethiopia and catches the Westbus 780 bus to and from Ropes Crossing to Mount Druitt 4 days a week. He stated that the improvements in public transport he would like to see is, ' When I see the public transport there is  not any bad but the price of each trip is much expensive for people to have no work, especially immigrants. People need to move from place to place. 

They need transport especially when you take my cost  is a day $7.20 per day and it is difficult one, having no work. Public transport should be free or if possible  half-price fares should be paid. I stand from my problem because I'm a student in Macquarie A.M.E.P.  (Australian Migrant English Program).'

Those were Tadese's actual words as he told, he was a former teacher in Ethiopia and would like to be given a chance to teach in Australia shortly.

How do you feel about Tadese's improvement for public transport. Do you agree with his proposal to have free public transport or half-price fares, let's  hear from you!

Bus Ends Up On Wrong Side Of Train Station!

Tonight, a lady commuter that got off the Busways 750 on the South side of Mount Druitt Train Station on Beames Avenue, Mount Druitt, was so relieved to get off the bus. 

She also was so stunned and startled when she advised to me she had to explain to the bus driver where to go and yet he turned up on the wrong side of the train station!

She later  told myself she hardly gets buses! What a story, the bus should have ended at the Mount Druitt bus interchange. I was a witness to see that 750 arrive at Beames Avenue, Mount Druitt - so this is a true story!

What would you have done if this happened to you?

Busways Are Preparing For Taking Over Region 1 Bus Contracts & So Is Busways Head Office Moving From Pymble!

Busways are preparing themselves for the taking over of  NSW Bus Contracts Region 1: Depots based will be based at Plumpton, Penrith and Richmond/Windsor area, whilst former Westbus bus services will be maintained with the change over. 

They even have employed 30 more bus drivers to cover increased trips and are implementing strategies in Mount Druitt area, that will provide a modern bus running system. This will be used for example: when buses run late there will be a spare driver and bus within the three above mentioned areas, to pick up the commuters that will not be running so late. This is an impressive idea that I think will do Busways justice in winning the Bus Region 1 Contracts.

At present, there are time keepers at Mount Druitt bus interchange checking the current time tabled bus services, preparing for the new Bus time tables coinciding with the Sydney rail train time tables, in October 2013.

Also in plans is the Busways Head Office which will move from Pymble in Sydney's upper north shore to  a new premises in Western Sydney's Rouse Hill area. They will also be seeking jobs to be filled up as well - a good opportunity for people from the west to apply for  vacant position, when available.

More Emphasis On Local Mount Druitt Public Transport Bus Services Reaching Out To The People - Mount Druitt Commuter!

How excited are people when they find out about our group or even the WSPTU group and find out what we are doing or we all are doing in Western Sydney.

I get excited when I have made such a positive contact to someone that has a lot of good and great things to say. People are so positive of the future of public transport. It is so difficult to work out the future and resolve everyone's issues. In fact, it is just a case of working on the larger picture for the future and including the small important areas of the picture that make it 'the picture'. That is the way public transport will be planned properly for the future. Instead of turning a blind eye, open both eyes and vision the positive outcome for the future!

Enough of my own thoughts......!

Kazi from Mount Mount Druitt (wanted to supply surname but as agreed not published), is a recently migrated commuter within Mount Druitt. He does desire more public transport bus and train services as well as more services running frequently.

An interesting statistic he has worked out is that of the 70 percent of the Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs workers use public transport an a daily basis, to meet their employment destinations. Travelling by private cars he has tested, tend to be havoc, chaotic and  hectic coping with excessive traffic and traffic jams in major hubs of Mount Druitt, Parramatta and City of Sydney. This is due to a major increase in population and less direction from "The Decision Powers" for people to catch public transport making lives much more pleasurable.

Mount Druitt has affordable housing for new home owners and feels there needs more Government direction in establishing better existing route connections as well as promoting extension of bus services into the community where public transport is in need of demand.

This is where Kazi would like more emphasis within the surrounding suburbs of Mount Druitt needing essential bus services from local communities to bring in  the people to connect to the major  Shopping and Train Station hub. This  admits is so true!

Solution to Late Or Cancelled Trains - Mount Druitt Commuter!

A very enthusiastic young lady called Maritin from Mount Druitt travels to via Sydney Trains, Mount Druitt to Parramatta and return  majority of the time, each week. She does this to avoid traffic congestions, especially at Parramatta.

Yet one of her pet hates  with Sydney trains is late or cancelled trains. For her it is important  that trains run on time as when trains are cancelled all commuters then have to wait for the next train service.

The one good thing that would promote public transport to non-public transport users is by train the service takes 20-25 minutes to reach Parramatta  and by car it can take half an hour in heavy congested traffic. Which is a reason reason to catch Sydney trains.

For Martin, to fix  delayed or late trains, she recommends that the Sydney Trains staff should resolve the issue by listening to commuter complaints as sometimes they don't really listen to them.

Another suggestion she has with Weekend Track work is  time table for buses that replace trains!