Drivers Are The Best To Talk...!

Well a Westbus Bus Drive told me tonight of a  true Story where the bus could have turned into a 'Hospital Birth Centre'.

What happened, he pick a pregnant female passenger, who commuted on the Westbus 780 that made her wonder what she can do from here. She assumed the bus was travelling all the way to Nepean Hospital, but the driver alarmed her of the termination of that particular bus service -  her response was she was heading to Nepean Hospital to give birth. As a good Samaritan, the driver offered to take her to Mount Druitt interchange and then she could another bus service to Nepean Hospital or even catch a train. Phew.... at least he didn't become the midwife in case she was giving birth. This may present at question should there be medical staff on transport vehicles? Let's pose this question!

Sydney Alliance Transport Assembly Invitation -

Here is an opportunity to meet politicians catching trains and accompany them - you will have to register as quick as possible as most tickets will be  taken up quickly. Enjoy yourself.:

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE
SYDNEY ALLIANCE TRANSPORT ASSEMBLY
6:30pm-8pm November 17th 2011
Q Theatre
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
597 High Street, Penrith

For far too long Sydney’s public transport has been a problem.
It’s broken – now is the time to fix it!

The people of Sydney know what they want from their transport system

Now is our chance to get the ball rolling to fix public transport for Sydney.

Our Vision is:
 Public transport should be within “400:15:1 + SCA2”400 metres

 It should come every 15 minutes

 It should only require 1 ticket

 It should be Safe, Clean, Accessible and Affordable

 Accompany a Pollie: On Nov 17th hop on train and accompany politicians & others using public transport from your local area to Penrith station. Put them & the system to the test!

 Be part of a public discussion: with leading decision makers on how we can all work together to make our vision of better public transport a reality.

 Share your ideas, stories & point of view: with people from all over Sydney who are committed to a shared vision of bringing about a world class, sensible transport system for our city.

RSVP for this important event to:
SydneyAlliance@nswcc.org.au

Trains Great For Rest - Mount Druitt Commuter!

An excited Mount Druitt Commuter called, 'Kenny' has told me that travelling  to and from Mount Druitt to Chatswood is great for him to have a rest and nap. His alarm clock is the announcements when arriving at Central train station.

His pet peeve is that on Saturdays his journey to work could take half a day of travelling time ( to and from - between 2hours to 2 1/2 hours each way: 1 bus service and 2 trains, leaving no no direct train to Hornsby. And there is the added running around when changing trains at Central from Platform 10 to Platform 18

After all  proper, 'Get to destination transport hub's', needs to change on track-work days to make  train commuting life easier and happier!

Quakers Hill Commuter Has Researched Transport History!

Brilliant gentleman commuter from Quakers Hills understands that train travelers on public transport is good he want ti see (like everyone else), expecting that required is quieter and  faster. With buses he feels that Quakers Hill is properly serviced as opposed to Mount Druitt - where more bus services are required.

He has experimented with his family (wife and three children) travelling by train from Quakers Hill to Blacktown Westfields and found it cheaper to go there by  private car.Then he provided his philosophy; if  we have expensive public transport less commuters will travel - whilst if we have more affordable public transport, then more commuters will use public transport.

The research the covered on public transport,  is the NSW Government collects $600M annually, collecting City Rail fares and  then there is the cost of $1.2B on a new Electronic Ticketing System (ETS) over the next few years. This is also based on fares being subsidised by the NSW Government.

Whilst he was doing this research, he didn't pick there in a public transport interest group, supporting commuters for public transport and was happy with that!

My Region 1 Masterplan

I (Blake) have been working long and hard on a new version of my Region 1 network and here is the final result:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B4MdXDFD7QROMTJhMzljZTItMzY1YS00ZDk5LWJkZjctNWU0N2YzMzcyYWE2&hl=en_US

I shall have the exact details of the routes when I have finished writing them but it is pretty straightforward now.

Please leave any feedback.

Unusual Great Train Announcements!

Usually in the mornings, everyone keeps to themselves, unless they have someone to talk too. Should you have someone to talk too, then the trip becomes faster and  better.and you don't sleep or take a nap.

This morning was different, at Blacktown Station, the guard was providing great train carriage announcements - that kept me busy and alert, providing service details as to which stations the train was stopping and in the middle said,' Hope you have a nice day 1'!

What a cheerful and great way for that transport officer to start his day and hopefully to other people commuting on this train.

Towards Seven Hills, the announcer provided information of, " New time train time tables available of website: 131500 or ring 131500 or pick it up from your local train station!' So nice and so please. When I left the train, a lady commuter was complimenting the guard - he deserved it - let's have these announcements every day!

NSW Transport Track-Work Suggestions

How many people meet it is getting more and more, and all I can say each one has its own great qualities of being person who cares of public transport. The message is loud and clear, our  rail system is not perfect; not the best in Australia and not the best in the world. Yet suggestions, recommendations and great innovations can be implemented into our network rail system as long as there is the general public feedback  for support of it. Then and only then, we will be the best rail system in the world!

Ali, from Mount Druitt this morning was so passionate what we can do to assist him with his public transport issue.You see, he travels to work to Redfern Cityrail train 7 days a week and then walk 15 minutes the the University of Sydney. When the track-work is on  weekends , he struggles to understand why replacement buses take a longer time to reach their destination then trains.  He spend  2 hours each way reaching his destination, on track-work days He claims to alleviate this problem, would be best to have track-work for half a day, so that at least the other half of the day, the trains will run normal, shorter time to get home for example.

Well I think I solved his issue as I recommended that instead of getting an all stations bus to city or wherever it stops  catch an express Cityrail bus, that may save time - close to half the 2 hours travel.

Blacktown City Council 'Bicycle Review Workshop'

.

Unfortunately, I have declined an invitation to the Blacktown City Council's "Bicycle Review Workshop' due to work commitment.

Yet in saying this, it is  great news to hear that our local LGA in partnership with the University of Western Sydney is currently in process to reviewing Council's Bike Plan, which was developed in 2002.

On 2/11/11, Council is seeking  information from relevant stakeholders, whilst many of the cycle ways proposed in 2002 plan are nearing completion.  This can be a voice for the cycle commuters.

What I have done, is referred my invitation to Deb Robertson to represent us and have also asked a community cycle enthusiast  to attend from the Mount Druitt end. So there people will have an input for the growing cycling community to have better improved   and safe bike way.

Over 400 Metres To Reach Bus Stop - Result Example of Trip Planner

A local Whalan lady is hoping to  become employed at a company based at Arndell Park (near Blacktown). The problem she may face is not much early transport Monday to Friday, enabling her to start at 5.30am. Via  the 131500 Trip Planner - we have discovered she has more than 400 meters to walk to the nearest bus stop on the way to work: Follow the Trip Planner : time placed was  reach before 5.30am Arndell Park. The second Option gets her to work almost 12 hours or more later. This just doesn't seem fair:

Option 1 : 1 hour 10 minutes

Map this Journey 

Mode	Details
	Walk to bus stop Carlisle Av Near Bambara St, Dharruk - 931 metres	Map this walk
	Take the 750 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 4:21am  Carlisle Av Near Bambara St, Dharruk  Arr: 4:45am  Blacktown Interchange, Stand 2	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Take the 724 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 5:07am  Blacktown Interchange, Stand 8  Arr: 5:15am  Holbeche Rd - No.36 (Arndell Take-Away Shop), Arndell Park  Bus operates via Huntingwood Industrial Area. From Huntingwood Dr operates viaGreat Western Hwy to Reservoir Rd omitting Holbech Rd between Walters Rd & Resivoir Rd.	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Arndell Park - 135 metres	Map this walk

Option 2 : 1 hour 3 minutes

Map this Journey 

Mode	Details
	Walk to bus stop Bulolo Dr - No.34, Whalan - 585 metres	Map this walk
	Take the 755 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 7:43pm-  Bulolo Dr - No.34, Whalan  Arr: 7:49pm-  Mt Druitt Rail Stn (Stand 2), Mount Druitt	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Mount Druitt Station - 67 metres	Map this walk
	Take the North Shore and Western train (CityRail) Dep: 7:53pm-  Mount Druitt Station Platform 1  Arr: 8:04pm-  Blacktown Station Platform 4  Weekdays from Monday 17 October 2:00am to Saturday 29 October 1:30am. Buses replace trains between Richmond and Quakers Hill and also between Richmond and Blacktown. The weekend of Saturday 22 October 2:00am to Monday 24 October 2:00am. Buses replace trains between St Marys and Granville and also between Richmond and Granville. For more information, go to CityRail Updated Timetables from 23 October - details	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Take the 724 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 8:15pm-  Blacktown Interchange, Stand 8  Arr: 8:24pm-  Walters Rd - No.197 (Opp.Aldi Supermarket), Blacktown	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Arndell Park - 833 metres	Map this walk

Option 3 : 1 hour 12 minutes

Map this Journey 

Mode	Details
	Walk to bus stop Luxford Rd near Gasmata Cr, Whalan - 989 metres	Map this walk
	Take the 780 bus (Westbus Penrith) Dep: 7:10pm-  Luxford Rd near Gasmata Cr, Whalan  Arr: 7:16pm-  Mt Druitt Interchange, Mount Druitt	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Mount Druitt Station - 33 metres	Map this walk
	Take the North Shore and Western train (CityRail) Dep: 7:23pm-  Mount Druitt Station Platform 1  Arr: 7:34pm-  Blacktown Station Platform 4  Weekdays from Monday 17 October 2:00am to Saturday 29 October 1:30am. Buses replace trains between Richmond and Quakers Hill and also between Richmond and Blacktown. The weekend of Saturday 22 October 2:00am to Monday 24 October 2:00am. Buses replace trains between St Marys and Granville and also between Richmond and Granville. For more information, go to CityRail Updated Timetables from 23 October - details	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Take the 724 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 7:45pm-  Blacktown Interchange, Stand 8  Arr: 7:54pm-  Walters Rd - No.197 (Opp.Aldi Supermarket), Blacktown	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Arndell Park - 833 metres	Map this walk

Option 4 : 1 hour 13 minutes

Map this Journey 

Mode	Details
	Walk to bus stop Luxford Rd near Gasmata Cr, Whalan - 989 metres	Map this walk
	Take the 780 bus (Westbus Penrith) Dep: 6:40pm-  Luxford Rd near Gasmata Cr, Whalan  Arr: 6:46pm-  Mt Druitt Interchange, Mount Druitt	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Mount Druitt Station - 33 metres	Map this walk
	Take the North Shore and Western train (CityRail) Dep: 6:56pm-  Mount Druitt Station Platform 1  Arr: 7:07pm-  Blacktown Station Platform 4  Weekdays from Monday 17 October 2:00am to Saturday 29 October 1:30am. Buses replace trains between Richmond and Quakers Hill and also between Richmond and Blacktown. The weekend of Saturday 22 October 2:00am to Monday 24 October 2:00am. Buses replace trains between St Marys and Granville and also between Richmond and Granville. For more information, go to CityRail Updated Timetables from 23 October - details	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Take the 724 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 7:15pm-  Blacktown Interchange, Stand 8  Arr: 7:25pm-  Walters Rd - No.197 (Opp.Aldi Supermarket), Blacktown	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Arndell Park - 833 metres	Map this walk

Option 5 : 1 hour 13 minutes

Map this Journey 

Mode	Details
	Walk to bus stop Luxford Rd near Gasmata Cr, Whalan - 989 metres	Map this walk
	Take the 780 bus (Westbus Penrith) Dep: 6:10pm-  Luxford Rd near Gasmata Cr, Whalan  Arr: 6:16pm-  Mt Druitt Interchange, Mount Druitt	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Mount Druitt Station - 33 metres	Map this walk
	Take the North Shore and Western train (CityRail) Dep: 6:26pm-  Mount Druitt Station Platform 1  Arr: 6:37pm-  Blacktown Station Platform 4  Weekdays from Monday 17 October 2:00am to Saturday 29 October 1:30am. Buses replace trains between Richmond and Quakers Hill and also between Richmond and Blacktown. The weekend of Saturday 22 October 2:00am to Monday 24 October 2:00am. Buses replace trains between St Marys and Granville and also between Richmond and Granville. For more information, go to CityRail Updated Timetables from 23 October - details	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Take the 724 bus (Busways (Region 1)) Dep: 6:45pm-  Blacktown Interchange, Stand 8  Arr: 6:55pm-  Walters Rd - No.197 (Opp.Aldi Supermarket), Blacktown	Map this trip  Route Diagram Alternative Times
	Walk to Arndell Park - 833 metres	Map this walk