Saturday, June 30, 2012

Quiet Carriages Are Commuters Quiet?

A young Liam from Kingswood claims he commuter in trains in all directions of Sydney: east to west to north to south.


His concern is that the seats on trains can be uncomfortable and needs to be comfortable for an easy journey for each commuter. The one he uses that he claims is uncomfortable are the non-flip-able or turnaround ones!


While he also supports the quiet carriages, one day he was in a quiet carriage and two commuters were talking so he left for standard carriages  resumed his journey in that carriage!

No Need For Change - Rooty Hill Commuter!

The other day, Jaspreet  a train commuter from Rooty Hill claims that public transport we have is good, 'No need for change - we have better  public transport than other places around Australia and the world!'


Editors comments: I  am very happy we do have a public transport network and system and agree that our public transport is better than some  other places - yet I always remember that originally when we were a colony, we were an 'unplanned city' and sometimes I still feel the same way today!

Walk To Work From Parramatta - Mount Druitt Commuter!

Leonard from Whalan  has recently taken a life saving decision to lose weight and keep more fit by walking 4ks from Parramatta to Rydalmere to work in the mornings.


Although, he still commutes from Whalan by bus to Mount Druitt train station and then catches the City Rail train to Parramatta.  He has admitted that he has lost 10kgs in the last couple of weeks and is hoping to lose more.


His aim shortly is to walk back from Rydalmere to Parramatta as well (at present he catches buses). 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Cleaner Trains or Not - Study done by Student from UTS,Sydney!

Joline, a university student from UTS (University Of Technology Sydney), has conducted a professional short research video of cleanliness of trains and responses and suggestions from a couple commuters.

One of them, we are proud to call our own real passionate transport advocate 'Angela' has shown us  to be so proud of Mount Druitt and for train commuters, with her simple solution.

Click here to check out the great video from Joline - 'UTS News'
U Tube Link to Cleaning Video



Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Buses Come With New Route Service In Mt Druitt

If you have been hanging around Mount Druitt Interchange lately, you may have noticed the new buses that has arrived at Busways. The registration number is 1039, which is the small number on the side and back of the bus, it is air conditioned and low floor, making it easier for people to get on.


The new bus has been brought in for the new route 723 service which links Blacktown & Mt Druitt via Eastern Creek Raceway & Business Park. Although I believe there are better uses for a new service, I commend Busways on their latest addition. 


Let's keep it going Busways! More new services for Mt Druitt, please!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Bus Drivers With Rumours.....Government 'Runned Buses' Future Out West!

A bus driver that had met myself before advised that there is a commuter in Willmot having issues with catching buses to Rooty Hill to get to work early in the mornings. This is costing the commuter approximately $25 per day just to get to work.


Also the driver has asked my thoughts on what is happening with the bus reviews where it appears bus drivers believe that the NSW government will run buses in Western Sydney - and there will be no private companies. It was told to me that government expenditure on buses could be $1.60 per minute, per bus, whereas  payments provided to private companies are subsidised at $2.00 per minute, per bus for costs ( so that the private companies have to provide a return to their holders).


What was thought of this driver with NSW Government 'Runned buses' that there isn't extra costs out-laid. Funds can be redirected from the private subsidies to improve bus services to 15-20 minutes service, as opposed to what we have at present, especially weekends,early morning and late night services!


Editors comments: Now I know why they are changing the colour of the buses to match the NSW Governments buses colours!

Friday, June 22, 2012

Orchard Hills Commuter Requires More Trains At Kingswood Train Station!

A female commuter Nicole from Orchard Hills has issues with  requiring more trains from Kingswood to Parramatta train station. Claims that one out three trains stop at Kingswood and realised what could improve, increase the services at Kingswood and Werrington by increasing the dual carriageway from St Marys to Penrith.

She advised her train was 14 minutes late today and had to catch a different train - this made her a little bit frustrated!

In the beginning of our conversation she was startled that there was a cleaner picking up rubbish from the carriage. First time she had  seen this - this is good work by City Rail! We need more cleaners to make our public transport more cleaner - this creates more jobs and can create more interest in overseas tourists using and promoting our public transport system for the future!

Mount Druitt Very Young Commuter Preparation Of Daily Trips!

More and more good people (strangers) I speak to almost every single day. People who travel on public transport are interested in public transport, even if it is just a tiny weenie bit!


Very young Lisa from Colyton, has just he last 2-3 weeks been travelling on trains and relies on public transport to get her to work in the city. She is so consciousness about her work and not being ( which to my understanding is not the 'norm' with the younger generation ), she has planned her daily trips in the morning so she reaches work 1 hour before commenced of her work. Her employer should be extremely proud of her commitment.


She catches the train at Mount Druitt around 6am to ensure she starts work at 8am. What she is preparing for is potential delayed trains or cancelled trains!



Good Lady Samaritan Requires More Express Trains For More Available Seating!

Linda commutes to and from Blacktown by train would to see more frequency of trains to and from Blacktown. 


With express trains, most have little or no seats available from Blacktown all  the way to City stations and it  would be like packed sardines in a can.


I will give my 'cap' off to this Linda as a pregnant lady entered the carriage and no young person stood up for her.  Linda's female companion stated to me that both ladies were tossing up who will give up their seat first. 


By the way I was standing up until Blacktown from Parramatta!

No Improvements Now But Maybe In The Future - Penrith Commuter!

Young Richard from Penrith to relax on trains and doesn't seem to think that there needs to be any further improvements for the current public transport we have in Western Sydney.


Although he said this as he was travelling back home to Penrith,   this is not a topic that he would discuss with his mates and thus  his thoughts may change in time. There could be improvements for public transport in the future suggested from himself!


Editors Notes: Not everyone wants an improvement or change for better in public transport - they are happy for the things the way they are! That is what being an individual is and it is great we are all different.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Relaxed Penrith Commuter - No Worries Of Public Transport!

A young Richard from Penrith find when he travels on trains finds this is a good time to relax,even talking to friends and catching up on the mobile phone. 

He doesn't seem to think there is any more  improvements can be made and finds it not a subject he  would talk about or even think about with his friends! Also his generation claims they can understand my generation in relation to life in general as well even though his generations speaks faster than us.

Editor's notes: Maybe he will speak to his friends and it may be a topic of discussion for the future for himself or even he may just keep on thinking about it as well!

We Got Mentioned In NSW - Members Of The Lower House Provide Overflowing Compliments- Member For Londonderry - Bart Bassett, Member For Mount Druitt - Richard Amery & Others...

This is a transcript from Hansard, NSW Parliament 14th June 2012

WESTERN SYDNEY PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS GROUP

Mr BART BASSETT (Londonderry) [12.40 p.m.]: I move:

      That this House:

      (1) congratulates the organisers of the 2011 Western Sydney Public Transport Users Association Transport Symposium that brought stakeholders together and advocated for a better deal for transport users; and

      (2) congratulates Patricia Guy, Ken Moriarty, Marianne McCloud and John Svoboda from local networks in the Londonderry electorate, St Marys and Mount Druitt who are lobbying for the restoration of local bus services that were cancelled by the former Government.
There is great news today that relates to paragraph (2) of the motion. When the Coalition was in Opposition Ken Moriarty, Patricia Guy and many others lobbied hard—and we supported them—for reinstatement of the 782 bus service, which was cut by members opposite. The Labor Government cut that bus services without considering those who bought their homes and relied on the 782 service to take them to Penrith, Werrington, railway stations and so on. When the service was cut, people with no other form of transport had no access to a bus service. I thank the Minister for Transport for hearing their calls and reinstating the 782 bus service. I have met these people twice since the 782 bus service was reinstated. They are thrilled that they again have a bus service that enables them to go shopping, attend medical appointments and do many other things. I am pleased that the Government was able to deliver that. I thank the member for Hawkesbury, who is in the Chamber, for his enthusiastic work in raising that issue when the Coalition was in Opposition.

The Western Sydney Public Transport Users group is an umbrella group that represents many other groups throughout the Sydney community: the Hills Transport Group, the Blue Mountains Commuters and Transport Users Association, the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group, Save our Buses in Mount Druitt and surrounding areas, the South Penrith Residents Action Group, the Liverpool Transport Task Force Group, the Oaklands North Parramatta Group, the Transport for Local Community group at Bankstown, the Blue Mountains Sustainable Alliance and the Blackheath Highway Action Group, to name a few. At the symposium I attended in 2011 a refreshing approach was taken by an organisation that is genuinely interested in representing the transport needs of people throughout Sydney and in western Sydney in particular who had been forgotten by the previous Government.

I am suspicious about the existence of the Sydney Alliance, as many union Labor mates were involved in its formation and operations. I will keep a close eye on the Sydney Alliance in terms of its true intentions. Unlike the Sydney Alliance, the Western Public Transport Users group is genuinely interested in advocating for better public transport in western Sydney. It does not have any ulterior motives and it is not politically driven. Not only did the Minister re-establish the 728 bus service; other things have continued to happen. Preserving corridors in western Sydney was not even on the radar of the former Government. Other issues include the establishment of Transport for NSW, examining contracts signed by the former Government, the waste of billions of dollars and the Tcard debacle—all these issues were raised at the Western Sydney Public Transport Users group symposium in 2011. Since then I have had discussions with member groups and they are pleased with the direction the Government is taking with regard to public transport in western Sydney.

I refer, for example, to the current consultation about the corridor for extending the North West Rail Link through to the Marsden Park industrial lands. The Government is getting on with the job of building the North West Rail Link. As I said, we have reinstated the 782 bus service to the St Marys, Mount Druitt, Penrith area. I note that the member for Mount Druitt is in the Chamber. I did not hear him calling out for the reinstatement of the 728 bus service after his Government ripped it out of the community. He is still silent on the issue. He should hang his head in shame that his Government left those people without public transport. We will continue to look at how to improve bus routes, and when the contracts are renegotiated we will ensure that they are more flexible in terms of what commuters and local communities need. We will ensure that the contracts are flexible so that if circumstances in a community change we can alter bus routes in favour of the commuter, not in favour of the government of the day. 

In terms of the Tcard ticketing debacle, the Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group raised the need to have a common ticket to make it easy for people to move from one transport mode to another. The Minister is getting on with that job. A common ticket will be introduced on the ferries first and then it will be rolled out across all public transport. We are not reinventing the wheel but using a system that works elsewhere and introducing it in Sydney. I congratulate the Minister on that. Most importantly, I thank members of our community such as Ken Moriarty, Patricia Guy and John Svoboda who are simply representing the community. They are not doing so for political reasons. They are not trying to gain some recognition in the area for any political positions they might want in the future. They simply want good public transport in their local community. They continue to give their time to determine how improvements to public transport can be to the advantage of their community.

The Government's door is open to those people because, having been involved in lobbying over the years, we know that lobbying can be done professionally and respectfully. When that is the case the Government wants to work with people who have goals, who are not simply trying to score brownie points or political points. The people I have named are genuinely interested in working with the Government to improve public transport for their communities. So we will continue to work with them. Only two weeks ago I attended a public meeting at St Marys, at which both Ken Moriarty and Patricia Guy talked about how changes can be made when the contracts are renegotiated and how the 782 bus service might be further improved. We are open to suggestions. We want them to tell us how they believe things can be improved for public transport users in my electorate of Londonderry and the surrounding electorates, including Mount Druitt. I will work to make sure that the people in the Mount Druitt electorate are looked after, rather than ripping services away from them.

Mr RICHARD AMERY (Mount Druitt) [12.47 p.m.]: As the member for Mount Druitt I share some Mount Druitt suburbs with the member for Londonderry. I do not have a problem with the wording of the motion and therefore I will not be suggesting that we oppose it, although I cannot agree with all the member's comments in support of the motion. In relation to bus services, paragraph (2) of the motion states that bus services were cancelled by the former Government. That is a glib way of explaining a major review of bus routes within the broader Mount Druitt area and other parts of western Sydney. The strategy behind that change to bus services, which was not community driven, was to speed up bus services from various Mount Druitt suburbs to Mount Druitt railway station.

Before the changes, most buses travelled through every little street in the suburbs, which was convenient for many residents. However, they felt aggrieved when a bus service was removed. In general terms, the bus services then came down the main streets of Mount Druitt, for example, Carlisle Avenue and Woodstock Avenue and directly to the railway station. The strategy behind it was to carry more people more quickly to the railway interchange, which was a $12 million project delivered by the former Labor Government. That aggrieved and upset many residents. The Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group was active in expressing concern on behalf of those residents who felt that the decision to cancel a bus service that had been coming down their street for 20 or 30 years should be reviewed. 

I give credit to the former member for Londonderry, Allan Shearan, who had services reinstated in the Whalan area. We have heard the rhetoric from the member for Londonderry, but I will give the facts. First, the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group is an excellent organisation with a fantastic website. As an ardent user of the Internet I use this facility to read the blogs that commuters post on that website on a daily basis about the operation of a bus or train service. At the moment I am addressing concerns raised by people in the suburb of Shalvey about late night services. The group lobbied for improvements to public transport under our Government and will do so under this Government, which I hope can achieve the same goals that we achieved in transport. Last year this Government undertook a review of timetables and bus routes in western Sydney. On 9 November 2011 I asked the Minister for Transport a question on notice:
      Have new private bus timetables and routes been announced for locations in Western Sydney?
On 14 December 2011 the Minister answered, "Yes." My second question was—and the member for Londonderry might want to hear this:
      Do any of these changes affect the Mount Druitt area?
 The Minister answered, "No." My third question was:Has there been an increase in after 5.00 p.m. services to suburbs in Mount Druitt for weekend commuters?

I asked that question because the member for Hawkesbury, who is in the Chamber, made some strong promises in that regard. The Minister answered "Not applicable". In other words, Mount Druitt received nothing from the review. I am pleased that the member for Londonderry will take up the cause of transport groups in the Mount Druitt area. Prior to the last election the Premier and the Minister for Transport came to Mount Druitt and announced the new metro 71 service linking Mount Druitt to the northern suburbs of Castle Hill and beyond. This was to be an excellent service and was well received; it would link the northern suburbs of Sydney and Mount Druitt with the various universities. The former Government had announced this initiative. On 5 May 2011 I asked the Minister these questions on notice:
        (1) How many Metrobus services are currently operating in the Sydney Metropolitan area?

        (2) Has the Metro 71 service been announced to provide a service from Mount Druitt to Castle Towers?

        (3) Will the Government proceed with the introduction of the Metro 71 service?
    The Minister answered:
        I am advised:

        13 Metrobus services are currently operating in the Sydney Metropolitan area. The Department of Transport is currently reviewing growth bus allocations for consideration by Government.
        I have read the budget papers and the Minister's press releases, and I can say there is no news on Metro 71. I ask the member for Londonderry, who shares some of the suburbs of Mount Druitt with me, to support my call for the already announced Metro 71 service between Castle Towers and Mount Druitt to be completed. I will conclude my contribution to give other members an opportunity to speak. I congratulate the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group on its excellent website. The feedback and blogs from the local community posting their grievances on that site on a daily basis are of great assistance to me in my role as local member. I urge all members interested in bus and transport services in the western region to be regular users of that website. I have no objections to the motion, but suggest that some of the rhetoric of the member for Londonderry is questionable.
  • Mr RAY WILLIAMS (Hawkesbury—Parliamentary Secretary) [12.54 p.m.]: It gives me great pleasure to support this good motion moved by the member for Londonderry. As members would remember, during 2009 I raised several times in this House various problems that had beset many areas across western Sydney due to the bus reforms, largely to the private bus industry, undertaken by the former Labor Government. In early 2009 those reforms resulted in no fewer than 30 bus services being slashed from Dural to the city. On behalf of those people I advocated strongly through various forums such as the Alan Jones program on 2GB, Ray Hadley, the Daily Telegraph and the capable journalist Kevin Wilde of Channel 9. Throughout that advocacy and over the following few days we were able to restore many services to the Dural and Hills areas that had been removed by the previous Government.

    However, the removal of those bus runs and a lack of public transport left various children, some disabled people and many elderly people stranded. There was no publication and certainly no advertising of the slashing of those services. People woke up on a Monday morning expecting to catch their normal mode of transport, but they were deprived of those services. Throughout my advocacy people across western Sydney became aware of my involvement in the bus industry and my involvement with the problems that had beset western Sydney. I started to receive phone calls, not only from my own area but from various areas of western Sydney, including Mount Druitt and Whalan where I am proud to say I met people such as John Sybota, Patricia Guy and Ken Moriarty, who explained to me that the services they had had in the area for 40 years had been removed. These services included the 782 run, which the member for Londonderry referred to, in the St Marys area.

    Ken Moriarty, an elderly person with a walking stick, walked the streets of St Marys gathering hundreds of names on petitions, trying to force the irresponsible Labor Government to reverse its decision and reinstate the service. I was more than happy to stand beside Ken Moriarty and help him. Through our advocacy and through wonderful forums such as the fabulous St Marys Star and other local papers we were able to restore those services. Other groups formed almost overnight, such as the Save Our Buses action group at Whalan. I met with hundreds of people at the Whalan community centre, a suburb close to me because of my family involvement with the Whalan family, including the Oatlands Transport Action Group. We visited many aged and retired people who were impacted by the removal of bus services from Parramatta. I was proud to support those groups but even more proud to be a member of a Government that recognises that public transport is important to all areas of western Sydney. I am happy to support this motion. I know that the member for Londonderry will be prepared to stand up on behalf of these commuters in the future.

    By consent, the take-note debate on committee reports postponed to permit the conclusion of the current debate.
    • Mr GUY ZANGARI (Fairfield) [12.58 p.m.]: I attended the Western Sydney Public Transport Users Association Symposium held at Campbelltown, along with the member for Cabramatta and the member for Macquarie Fields, to represent the New South Wales Opposition on south-west Sydney transport issues. Paragraph (2) of the motion refers to the former Government. As the Government of the day, this Government has the responsibility for this task rather than doing the Benji Marshall flick pass and fobbing it off.<19> 
    • It is interesting to note that this Government has privatised Sydney Ferries and has in its sights Sydney Buses and the Liverpool to Parramatta T-way bus service, which will mean fewer services and higher fares for the people of Liverpool, Parramatta and Fairfield, for example. So before the member slags the former Labor Government he needs to look at his Government's record thus far. Members will know that the former Labor Government introduced the Metrobus services—

    • Mr Andrew Constance: 
      Point of order: I do not think the use of the word "slags" is appropriately parliamentary. The member should be asked to elaborate on what he means by "slags" and if he will not will he please withdraw it from Hansard?

      ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! I ask the member for Fairfield to choose his words carefully.

      Mr GUY ZANGARI: How about "rubbishes"? How does that sound, Minister? I will not stand corrected on that point. Members will know that the former Government introduced Metrobus services across regional Sydney that are now enjoyed by constituents in Coalition-held electorates. For the information of the member for Londonderry, I have made representations to the Minister for Transport regarding the inclusion of bus services at Woodpark Road, Woodpark to connect constituents from Upper Warren Road to the T-way. All I can report to constituents is a lack of action by the Government and the constant blame game directed at the former Labor Government by the Minister for Transport.

      I say to constituents in any electorate that come together to advocate for a better deal from public transport that I support them. It is up to people in electorates if they have concerns about transport to voice their opinions and to bring them to their local members. I congratulate those people who are mentioned in paragraph (2) of the motion. However, the last part of the motion refers to the former Labor Government. Members opposite are the Government now. It is about time they acted responsibly and stopped doing the Benji Marshall flick pass to the former Government. They are in government now.

    • Mr BART BASSETT (Londonderry) [1.01 p.m.], in reply: I thank the member for Mount Druitt, the member for Hawkesbury and the member for Fairfield for their contributions. It is very easy to sit in this Chamber and to say, "Do not get involved in the blame game." We are just highlighting the fact to the community and we will not let them forget that we are picking up the pieces, cleaning up the mess and trying to get the budget back in order so we can deliver public transport to the whole of New South Wales. We will not forget. We will continue to remind the community of what members opposite did for 16 years. It was not 16 months, or a year and a half, or two years; it was 16 long years.

      ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! The House will come to order. The member for Londonderry has the call.

      Mr BART BASSETT: Opposition members get excited when we mention those 16 years. In 15 months we have got on with the North West Rail Link. In my local community we have reinstated the 782 bus service. Let us consider the question asked by the member for Mount Druitt about the Metrobus and let us look at the dates. It is interesting to look at the dates. Did the member for Mount Druitt raise the idea of a Metrobus during those 16 years? No. He asked the question on 5 May 2011, five weeks after the State election. All of a sudden he found his voice. He looked out his window and said, "Gee, we need a Metrobus here after 16 years. Where is the Metrobus?"

      I assure communities in Sydney and throughout New South Wales that they will have public transport based on demand and need, not based on a political whim or a favour for a few mates who have been set up under the Sydney Alliance. It will be based on need, which is why the 782 service was returned. It was returned because the community needed that bus service, which was taken away by those opposite. We will keep talking about the North West Rail Link because communities were lied to for over a decade. We have got on with the job of putting the North West Rail Link in place. We are also getting on with the South West Rail Link. We are asking community members for their thoughts on a corridor to extend the North West Rail Link.

      Ms Noreen Hay: Ask them about Port Kembla.

      Mr BART BASSETT: Is that not great? We are talking about spending $100 million down south—

      ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! I call the member for Wollongong to order.

      Mr BART BASSETT: If the member for Wollongong does not want the money I am sure there will be plenty of people around the State who will take the money.

    Ms Noreen Hay: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 73. The member opposite at no stage asked the former Labor Government for any increased transport and he has no business talking about lies—

    ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! That is not a point of order. The member for Wollongong will resume her seat.

    Mr BART BASSETT: You have been told that it is not a point of order.

    ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! The member for Wollongong will resume her seat.

    Mr BART BASSETT: You are on a call at the moment so be careful before question time.

    Ms Noreen Hay: Who is the Speaker?

    ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! I am. I called the member for Wollongong to order. If the member had been listening and not talking she would not have been called to order.

    Mr BART BASSETT: I thank the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group. I agree with the member for Mount Druitt that it does a great job. The shock of the day is that the member for Mount Druitt is actually blogging. Well done, he is blogging, and well done to the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group. I commend the motion to the House.

    Question—That the motion be agreed to—put and resolved in the affirmative.

    Motion agreed to.

    ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Melanie Gibbons): Order! General Business having concluded, the House will now proceed with Committee reports.



    Editors comments: On behalf of the group and Mount Druitt Commuters I take my hat off for the feedback we received as a positive response from the Members of NSW Parliament. Let's keep this all up for  public transport future of our communities. Thank to all the Members of Parliament for their great thoughts.























    Wednesday, June 20, 2012

    Less Disabled Commuter Car Park - While Building One Down The Road!

    We understand that for the last 18 months or so, Mount Druitt will hopefully have a completed Commuter Car Park (where people can park and drive), just before the Local Council Elections in September 2012.


    What is worrying myself is that at the same time the legally 'Disabled Parking only' in Mount Druitt is reduced for renovations  purposes. This is the Commuter Car Park near the lifts on North parade. I don't know why they need renovating unless they are placing two stories or adding new plants (making it beautiful). It may be to beautify it!


    I thought they would have waited until the new Commuter Car Park was completed! Here it is closed off:













    Tuesday, June 19, 2012

    Canterbury Commuter On-time Trains To Mount Druitt

    Mohammed who comes from Canterbury, visits his friend in Mount Druitt by trains and transfers to and from 2 train stations after commencing from Bankstown train station. These stations being Lidcome and Parramatta.


    He would like to see more on-time tabled train services as they make commuters later for work or other events people have to go too.


    It amazed him as well as myself due to late trains tonight that for 3 minutes the train arrive time stayed at 8 minutes for next time! These things happen!

    Saturday, June 16, 2012

    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.

    Friday, June 15, 2012

    Mount Druitt Commuter: Better Services Out West And Even Richmond Line

    I met or actually I should state that I interrupted David from Mount Druitt, from further reading. Yes, I did feel bad but he seemed to appreciate the conversation we had and also complimented the work our group does for the community. 


    David is a true-hearted public transport campaigner as claims he reads 3-4 books  per week, to relax the brain after a hard days office work at Concord. He walks to Mount Druitt train station as he only lives 5 minutes away.His choice is to travel trains to Concord as it is cheaper then travelling by car as he found out, not stuck in traffic and definitely less stress while reading under total relation.


    One of his issues is there seems to be more City Rail trains heading to and from Epping compared to Heading to onto the West of the Western Line. Every second trains appears to go to and from Epping line and it seems that train services are well catered for the North Shore commuters. To solve this, Transport For New South Wales to supply at least one extra train heading west on the Western Line per hour - going to  limited express stations to and from the city.


    In comparison the Mount Druitt part of the Western Line is well looked after compared to the Richmond line where off peak services are hourly and peak is half an hour. Here he suggests that the off-peak times increase to every forty minutes and the peak time change time table services to every 20 minutes. Also a dual carriageway is required  completed to Richmond which he understands the current NSW Government is heading to do.


    What this will do is open up a better improved services to people that would like to catch  public transport in that north west corridor of the Greater Western Sydney.



















    Satisfied Commuter From Mount Druitt!

    Johnny from Whalan ( No, not me) travels from  bus and train to Newtown as he works at a local hospital and does hard work in Newtown.


    He is a commuter that is completely satisfied of our public transport service and system and cannot think of any improvements that needs to be done to give him a better commuting lifestyle.


    I admit not everyone thinks there needs to be improvement but that doesn't disappoint us, it just proves everyone is different and very happy with their lifestyle and also was is in the community that they use. Good on you Johnny!









    Blacktown Council Listens To Our Calls - More DDA Compliant Bus Slabs For Our Bus Stops!

    Please find letter from Blacktown City Council from the Engineer Civil Maintenance - Overdue national DDA* Compliant Bus Slabs -  Thank you to Councillor Jacqueline in getting these important details for the community! The Work In Progress carries on until 2013!


    *Disability Discrimination Act

    School Children In Mount Druitt Not Taking School Special Buses

    A wonderful woman called Michelle, from Blackett claims one of her local bus issues is around 7.38 in the morning catching the Busways 758 to Mount Druitt, sometimes the bus is crowded with children and sometimes she has to wait for the next bus to catch at Blackett to Mount Druitt.


    One of her pet hates when the school children take up all the seats and don't allow adults to sit down. She claims - they should be catching their set special school buses, which will allow the rest of the community to catch the bus, not miss it and then allow for  seating.


    Maybe we can request Members of NSW Parliament to ensure this is sort out in the near future. I am sure there are hundreds of other commuters that feel the same!

    Chifley College Emerton - Not Recognised By Bus Operators & Whalan High School - Still Recognised Although Closed For Years!

    Yes, this is true a concerned community member Ken from Whalan has advised that  high school aged children are being rejected for school pass because the Bus operators do not recognise Chifley College Emerton, apparently they are known as Whalan/Mount Druitt High School and that is why school passes  will not be issued to Whalan school children as  Bus Operates  name for the school does not match Chifley College Emerton.
    The children meet these requirements easily, yet parents/children have not complained before as they didn't know the appropriate steps to do so. Now, we as a group can inform the community - so we all become more educated with what is happing with public transport on all level around Mount Druitt


    Information located under emerton.com.au ;
    Mount Druitt High School
    State Schools
    Mount Druitt High School, DHARRUK NSW 2770

    Contact Details:

    Phone: 02 96259750
    Fax: 02 94895722
    Under Chifley High School and campuses:

    Campuses

    Chifley College

    www.chifleycol.schools.nsw.edu.au

    Bidwill Campus

    Bunya Rd, BIDWILL NSW 2770
    www.bidwill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

    Mount Druitt Campus

    Stuart St, Mount Druitt NSW 2770*
    www.mtdruitt-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

    Dunheved Campus

    Maple Rd, North St Marys NSW 2760
    www.dunheved-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

    Shalvey Campus

    Noumea St, Shalvey NSW 2770

    *Stuart Street is Dharruk/Emerton not in Mount Druitt Hub

    Info located under Chifley Senior Campus:
    College map

    About us

    Chifley College was established in 2000 to provide enhanced educational opportunities for students of Western Sydney.  Our College, comprised of Bidwill Campus (7-12), Dunheved Campus (7-10), Mt Druitt Campus (7-10), Senior Campus (11-12) and Shalvey Campus (7-10) is situated on Darug land.
    The College motto, Learn Discover, Inspire is at the foundation of the partnership between students, community and the school.  Students have many opportunities to engage with a broad and varied curriculum that targets their needs and is designed to encourage excellence and citizenship. 
    Across the College, students participate in a diverse range of extra-curricula activities including sports, dance, arts and debating.  These activities are supported by the commitment of an extraordinary group of teachers.
    Effective partnerships with our community are essential if we are to achieve our goals, We deeply value our shared journey with local Aboriginal elders and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. We enjoy strong support from the Pacific Islander community and our parent bodies.
    We continue to build significant relationships with our local primary schools. We also acknowledge the input of the wider community into the success of our students.  In particular, the University of Western Sydney, TAFE and local employers who provide work experience and work placement to prepare our students for the transition from school to further education or work.

    Click here: Mount Druitt High School, Mount Druitt ( In Emerton)

    Contact us

    Chifley College Mount Druitt Campus

    Stuart Rd
    Mount Druitt
    2770
    Phone:
    9625 9750
    Fax:
    9832 1463
    Email:
    mtdruitt-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au


    From the Transport For New South Wales website:

    Eligibility requirements


    The School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) can only be used for:
    • Travel between home and the school campus at which the student is enrolled, and
    • Approved travel, Monday to Friday on school days.
    The scheme does not extend to travel for activities such as:
    • School excursions
    • Sports events
    • Work experience
    • Attendance at Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools at a location away from the school/campus at which the student is enrolled
    • Attendance at multi-campus high schools, Saturday schools, pre-schools, mini-schools (except for full-time geographically isolated distance education students)
    • Attendance at before and after school care or child minding premises.
    To be eligible for the scheme an applicant must be:
    a resident of NSW
    4 years and 6 months of age or older and enrolled as one of the following:
    • an infant student (K-2) regardless of the distance between their home and school
    • primary student (Years 3-6) who lives more than 1.6 kms (radial distance) from school, or 2.3 kms or more by the most direct practical walking route to the nearest entry point to the school
    • secondary student (Year 7-12) who lives more than 2 kms (radial distance) from school, or 2.9 kms or more by the most direct practical walking route to the nearest entry point to the school
    • a TAFE student under 18 years of age at 1 January of the year of application who is:
      • enrolled in a full-time TAFE course for a minimum of 20 hours a week
      • not employed
      • living more than 3.2 kms from the college by the most direct practical walking route and
      • attending the college closest to their home where enrolment is available.


    EDITORS NOTES:  It sounds like a Bureaucratic Bungle and both NSW for Transport and Bus Operators should get their act together. Hopefully our Blacktown Traffic/Transport Officers, State members of Londonderry and Mount Druitt should work together to resolve this issue!

    As of today 25/6/2012, it is The 'Whalan High School' that is the school that has been closed down and that is showing it is the nearest school to the students that live in Whalan. here is an old photo of the school, we will provide you with an update, soon:









    Thursday, June 14, 2012

    What Some Commuters Say And Then Do ( Or Shouldn't do)!

    This story was sent to us by e-mail - a commuter that knows our group well and we appreciate this commuters story:


    About a few days ago, I was waiting for a bus and I overheard a conversation from this a man who looked to 
    be in his late teens or early 20's, he was speaking to his friend and started to complain about how there was 
    not enough bus services in the area (due to rock throwing) and how they were always treated like criminals and 
    that they get nothing. 




    Then, today I saw the same guy again on my way to work, he was smoking and drinking a can soft drink when 
    the tried to get on the bus. Since he was smoking and drinking, the bus driver would not let him on, then the 
    guy when berserk and started to abuse the bus driver, calling him a "black c***", and making threats such as, 


    "I'm going to smash your face in" and "I going to get a bunch of my mates to throw rocks at your bus and (****) 
    you". This is the same words coming out of guy who was a few days ago complaining about a lack of bus 
    services due to rock throwing and being treated like a criminal. If you were to look up hypocrite in the 
    dictionary, you will find a picture of his face there. 

    Save Our Bus Services

    Read our story on how we made it our priority to ensure bus services are re-instated from services taken away in 2009.