Story Of Whalan Regular Commuter - Now Retired!

 During our years or time of commuting on various forms of public transport,  using the same  bus routes and/or railway lines, some of us meet others and end  up with a  friendship  commuting on public transport. Others will not meet and talk to other commuters, they  are happy to have peace and quiet during the sleep.

I have a story to tell which I'm sure it happens to people you know or have known in the past. That is, a lady that has told myself her name on a few occasions (which I have forgotten - I have to remember a lot of people's name), catches the bus one bus stop after mine in the mornings. We had our little chats and went our own ways to catch the same train at Mount Druitt.  about 4 months ago on a Monday Morning all of a sudden never caught the bus, the weeks passed.

About three weeks ago, I bumped into her at the Mount Druitt shopping complex and was so relieved she was alive, alright and well. She had told myself at her  age pass 65 years, she decided she had enough at work and left her employment, by way of retirement.

The motto of  my true story is don't worry be happy and those that are not seen will be seen and all is then happy!

Commuter From Shalvey Suggests More Commuters Going His Way!

A young hard working labourer from Shalvey  travels to work by  bus to Mount Druitt then by City Rail train to Penrith train station. Such a great young bloke to talk too.

He actually  stated that he was extremely happy as he almost has the carriage to himself  in the  mornings and afternoon return trips, yet watches how  hundreds upon hundreds are get on and off trains at Mount Druitt.

 We both seem to agree that the NSW Government should be more promotion of community members to catch public trains in the direction - where there is low patronage. so that the service is adequately utilised.

Editors Notes: This is  something that commuters suggest - promotion of public transport  - but  one suggestion could be that NSW Government offer   up to 20 percent discount to promote  increases in  low patronage train trips.  More commuters may take advantage of this. In fact this could be used for buses as well!

Central Train Station to Rooty Hill Train Station - Increased Services Required PM - Rooty Hill Commuter!

It doesn't take myself a long time before I make connections with commuters on public transport to get there feedback on any improvements they would like to see, so that there is total satisfaction given to all commuters. Each commuter's feedback is important and if not improved on now could be improved later.


So (don't laugh) I met a young John from Rooty Hill. He travels during the week return to Central for work. His main improvement he  would to see with public transport  is  more train services from Central to Rooty Hill as it seems to be a fight to get seats (second last train station from the City) from a current 20 minute service to 10 minute service in peak time pm, especially around 5pm. By  the NSW Government increasing services from on return trips to Rooty Hill from Central, John claims this will benefit other commuters besides himself that he is ware of.

Fireworks - This Is What People Come To At Rooty Hill For On Australia Day - Spectacular!

I have been to probably 1/2 a dozen or more Australia Day  Blacktown City Council Fireworks Event at Rooty Hill. and tonight I have experienced the best one ever. You can see the fireworks so close!

I have been told 35 traffic officers from Blacktown City Council, control looking after traffic getting in and out on Rooty Hill.

So organising Shuttle buses from all local train stations around Blacktown City Council would make their job easier as well!

And If you Click Here You Will See The Best Blacktown City Council Fireworks To Be Seen!


                                              CLICK BELOW TO VIEW FIREWORKS

Rooty Hill Free Shuttle Bus Seeds Have Been Planted!

It is almost more than a year that we have been lobbying for free Shuttle buses  to and from Rooty Hill train station  from all train stations within the Blacktown local area of Government.

Although, there is still no  final decision as yet the sees have been planted as I ensure the right people are told of this proposal, to reduce traffic congestion on Rooty Hill for the Australia Day fireworks event. Traffic Officers from  Blacktown support the motion to make it easier for community members around the area. We now have a population of over 300,000 and if only half of this population was given an opportunity to arrive and leave the event in a nice orderly fashion with free shuttle buses, this will not just bring 'Community Pride' within us but for generations to come.

My understanding is, it will happen but when is the question - I will not place a time frame  or commit to one but will say it looks like it could happen soon! There is no question what benefits would arise from  this positive proposal. Both Councillors of Blacktown City Council and Officers of the Council are aware of it. It is up to the two of them to meet  and make this important improvement that is a most definate required for our Australia Day Celebrations!

Check out previous blogs linked to original blog

Click here for a previous blog regarding Rooty Hill Free Shuttle Buses - Australia Day!

Taxi Survey You can complete!

This is a survey you may complete for the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme Survey:

Click Here to the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme Survey

Toll Proposed For M4 - By Sydney Mayor - This Would Be One Way To Move People Onto Public Transport!

There is a report coming from the Mount Druitt Standard and the Blacktown Advocate that there is a 'One Sydney Mayor has suggested a toll on the M4, charging people $20 each way to reduce traffic during peak hours. '

The Mount Druitt Standard' further question, ' Thoughts?'

The  Blacktown Advocate's further question, 'Would that make you get public transport into town?'


Interesting topic, don't you think?  The comments that are being added seemed to negative towards the idea but early days yet. The idea could be a good one for promoting public transport without even advertising!


Should you wish to add comment, ensure you have a Facebook account first, below are the links, if you have a Facebook acciunt and want to add your  feedback!

Click to add further Comments on the Mount Druitt Standard  Facebook Page!
  
Click to add further Comments on The Blacktown Advocate Facebook Page!

Click here to start a new account with Facebook!

Transport Officer Blacktown City Council - Looking to Review Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park Blind spot!

When we publish blogs, things don't just rest there ( in the too hard pile). Things get happening, especially if it is a problem and needs to be fixed up. Sometimes things don't get fixed up up but are placed on others mind, who read and understand  and maybe  send messages to others who get things moving!

I thank Pradeep who I spoke to last year (twice), who brought over to me an important issue that has been created and can report that after speaking to a transport officer from Blacktown City Council that the  issue will be reviewed. What the issue is was a blind spot, whilst driving out of the  Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park. Thank you for Blacktown City Council to take interest.

Click Here for previous blog

Cracks Appear At Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park!

Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park is serving the public transport commuters, allowing commuters to drive their cars locally, park and meet their second mode of transport (trains),  so that they reach at work east of Mount Druitt. 

I am and was happy when the Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park was opened, yet  I was hoping it would bee closer to the train station due to the walk involved. So for example, if one person drives for 10 minutes & then parks the car at the Mount Druitt Car Park walks for 5 minutes to the train station and spends 2 minutes buying his ticket. I still think catching buses is easier and then train but that is just plain old me....

Now what I have been surprised about lately with Mount Druitt car Park is cracks appearing on the steps and 2nd floor. I'm not a qualified builder not do I want to one but, I just was wondering if the cracks in the concrete are not a quick concrete slab engineering job. This is because the original company that won the tender in the construction of the Mount Druitt Car Park went into Liquidation and another builder had to be found. Have a look yourself - we will also seek feedback from  Western Line City Rail Manager.

Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park Step Cracks

Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park  Lifts Cracks Outside

Another Rooty Hill Train Station Upgrade Petition - Mr Richard Amery - Member For Mount Druitt!

We believe in improvements which provide efficient, more reliable and comfort to all commuters, in and around Mount Druitt, in relation to public transport. 

Thus, we are promoting the State Member for Mount Druitt, Mr. Richard Amery's  petition for an upgraded Rooty Hill train station petition to make it more accessible.  We know from last year when the Federal Member for Chifley, Mr. Ed Husic, also had a post card petition for the same petition. I don't know what the result of  it and was wondering what the affect could be from a Federal Member, in relation to a State issue. Although Federal  blessing who be a strong reference.

My understanding it is in the system from upgrade within the next 10-12 years - thus it has been approved for upgrade!

So, you can copy the below petition, here below, then return it directly to the Member for Mount Druitt, Richard Amery

Further Substantial Evidence For Peter Kerr's Footbridge Proposal In Mount Druitt

Peter Kerr

Nearly a year ago, we reported on Peter Kerr's Footbridge Proposal over the tracks in-between Mount Druitt and Rooty Hill Train stations:
 Click here for the blog/story on Peter Kerr's Footbridge Proposal


Yesterday, Peter was showing myself the benefits of having that footbridge and where it would be positioned. Once you see his future vision plans, you do see there is a desire and need for it.

It make's sense as I show you pictures of the sight and what is seen from the sight.

This is a side post you will see along the City Rail tracks and  there are
letters on there, for example: SL 42280 - SL represents Sydney to Lithgow and the  rest is
 42 Kilometers ans 280 Metres - every 20 metres there is a post

City Rail Train passing through
 to Mount Druitt Station

This is the Footbridge proposal site
facing Mount Druitt

This is the Footbridge proposal
sight facing Rooty Hill

This is From North of North Parade
 facing the cutting where
the Footbridge Proposal is planned

This is the position for the
Footbridge Proposal on top
of the cuttings on North Parade

Peter advised myself that  the former Federal Member for Chifley, Mr. Roger Price inspired  Peter Kerr to change his idea from an underpass to an Overpass facilitated by a footbridge. Peter had raised petitions around his area  in 2008 regarding the footbridge overpass and since then is not letting it go!

I admire Peter, as he is always a thinking man of improvements around the area - which keeps his brain going for his age! I would like Peter to witness the completion of this Footbridge overpass which will benefit the entire community of Rooty Hill and Mount Druitt South, bringing a better link for communities, inclusive of the Loyola Senior College Chifley College, Mount Druitt TAFE as well as bringing better access to Rooty Hill Club, AMF Bowling  and Mount Druitt Hospital.

 My understanding of funding if the NSW Government and Blacktown City Council get it right, could be  shared costs as follows: 

• Cost 1/5 Blacktown City Council
• Cost 1/5 NSW Government,
• Cost 1/5 Australian Federal Government
• Cost 1/5 Rooty Hill R.S.L.
• Cost 1/5 Westfield

Thus all paid!

Why do I support Peter's Footbridge proposal, it is quite simple, I believe in improvements in all areas of the community and if someone has what I think is a great idea - I will promote it.

Also I can see that, once Mount Druitt gets the free Shuttle Bus up and running, then more community members would be able to catch the bus from   North Parade Footbridge access ( there can be a bus shelter and bus stop placed there). Thus although it doesn't relate to public transport,  it will provide more people to make better connections to public transport services.

I know Peter has support from Blacktown City Ward 4 Councillors from current and past, also Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson from Ward 5,  Mr Richard Amery, State Member from Mount Druitt and as mentioned before, Mr Roger Price, former Federal Member of Chifley.

I understand from the previous article that Council has it in its possible ' WIP' File - known as 'Work In Progress' - would like to see how it is progressing since last year.

Proposed Free Bus Shuttle More Lobbying For Mount Druitt Commuters

We live in an area which is deprived  of community structures in Public Transport that initiates a huge  incentive for economical drive to all business (large and small) and a substantial rise in community pride as  people can connect to all areas of the local community hub without costing any more than time itself.

It seems for many Government Departments, hard to collaborate (arm in arm) with meeting with the communities requests to bring good things to the area. We also face upheaval, as I call them the  
"Big Press" only want negative stories from Mount Druitt, showing no interest in good real stories. Very rare are the times when good people that do good things are recognised outside our area. Bad stories seem to raise eyebrows in people's eyes outside of Mount Druitt, creating a real stigma of the area itself. Yet I do love Mount Druitt!

I m proud of our local press that start the stories going and do more their best to promote good real stories for the community to read and understand. Yet, I find it hard for the "Bigger Press' to grab the good story and let other people's other eyebrow be raised to see the goodness around the area. In fact, there are so many good people  within the area - they seem to outnumber  the one's that give Mount Druitt a bad name or reputation.

Anyway, back to lobbying for the Free Bus Shuttle for Mount Druitt - today was another step towards getting it - a step in the right direction, to make the wheels turn for the first rolling out of the Mount Druitt Free bus shuttle. You may ask what did I do?

I'm glad you have asked. I walked along North Parade Rooty Hill to speak to a Director from Rooty Hill RSL.  Was advised they were in a meeting - yet we can speak to the Manager of  Marketing, by tomorrow. We would be pleased to see if Rooty Hill RSL would contribute to the funding of the Mount Druitt Free Bus Shuttle buses as they expand and utilize funds for expansions for a gymnastic and aquatic center - which in itself would cost  hundreds of thousands of dollars.

*Rooty Hill Has a Courtesy Bus- which would compliment the Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus - here is details on it.

Courtesy Bus from Rooty Hill RSL

• 
• 

Rooty Hill RSL has a courtesy bus operating from Wednesday to Sunday.

• The Courtesy Bus operates from Wednesday - Sunday with drop-offs starting from 7.30pm each evening; the last departure is 1:00am on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights, and 4:00am on Friday and Saturday nights
• This service is available to Members and Members’ Guests only. Persons wishing to use the courtesy bus must register at Reception to receive a bus ticket
• The driver has the right to refuse entry to the bus of anyone displaying intoxication or anti-social behaviour
• A suburb by suburb route is used to determine the sequence of drop-offs

Next, Peter Kerr ( another group member of ours) and myself walked over to the Mount Druitt hospital and Peter introduced ourselves to 2 nice ladies working for the hospital. One of them was  advising us that in her Disability Committee - they are looking for a bus to take  students to take to and from Mount Druitt, which would make it more accessible for them and they claimed that what we are offering meets there needs highly. This lady advised she will refer to the Disbalilty Committee the Mount Druitt Hospital has.


We then went to reception and was directed to the Adon Room, where one of the Directors was - met Lisa - who was pleased of the the suggestion of  the Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus, yet advised us they have volunteer buses. This appears to be for volunteers only. Which means leaves the doors opened for commuters, nurses, doctors that may require this Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus service. She advised she will refer to the General Director and he will get back to us. In the meantime we noticed there was plans to upgrade the Mount Druitt Hospital and although she said it was basically a facial lift, there was no funds to be allocated to Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus service, as yet. I still think this would be up to the board.

Then we went to 'The Aengus Kavanagh Education And Equity Centre on the site of the  Mount Druitt Hospital spoke to the Manager, Gus and he straight away claimed the concept for the Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus, would bring a needed economical boost to the Mount Druitt community, provide an essential service that is required by the community and also a strong link throughout the community as well as bring something 'good' back to the community that the community is proud of.

Then we approached  Demus from the Kevin Betts Stadium in Ralph Street, Mount Druitt and was overwhelmingly advised that they would support the Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus and  thought this would be great for the community. By this time, we started to get the feeling there is a great need for the Free Shuttle Bus and was encouraged by the reaction so far.


We then approached the Center Manager for Shop Smart and he advised he thought it was a good concept, but didn't know how much of a need it was the community requiring it- although he could see that it would boost businesses within  Shop Smart. He would look into it  and get back to us.

Then we approached  The Store manager at Aldi Mount Druitt and he was saying that once the Free Bus Shuttle is 'Up and running' to come and see him, and he will  help advertise  and promote it and support it! He could see the benefit for his business as well.

The receptionist at Employment Plus, Mount Druitt was so happy to meet us as she could see it would be easier for the unemployed. jobless to reach their office from the Bus Interchange - she will refer to the management of the Employment Plus and once was told there was a n online survey we have - she insisted she will get people to complete the online survey on our website as she can see the benefits that will be seen and used by the entire community - this was a fantastic result for us.


We then approached Lang & Simmons Mount Druitt, spoke to the receptionist and she advised she will refer to the owner of the business.  As a young person I don't think she realised the positive impact of have a Free Bus shuttle.

Towards the end , we approached  the Store Manager, Arthur from Sam's Warehouse - was slightly interested but said they are going under voluntary receivership, so this would be good for them now.

Maybe the impression is that the Mount Druitt Free Bus Shuttle may have come late for this business, as if it was in place  a couple years ago, there could have been a slight chance the business would have survived. Who know's, but this could be true!

LK Supermarket in Mount Druitt, is a new shopping center in Mount Druitt, in the process of being established (Old Ten Pin Bowling Alley, Mount Druitt). The owner was away overseas due back in a few days the Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus could also be a big boost to the new business as it establishes itself as a reasonably priced supermarket, also supplying different Asian foods as well as other shops and sit down area restaurants.

Well to summarise our day today, it was worth it! It was pleasing to get a majority of positive responses from the community , know that the Blacktown City Council has approved  the Mount Druitt Free Bus Shuttle service and is looking at ways as to how it can be funded. This is where local business can be look at supporting the  service that will enhance the economics of business not only for them  but other business around the area and provide a positive community link to community member, who may need to visit community groups as well. This is more of a stamp of approval to get the Mount Druitt Free Shuttle bus  'On the road!'

Check Out The original Plan from Blake Bardowski for Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus

Complete the on-Line Survey if you would like to see the  Mount Druitt Free Shuttle Bus - 'On The Road' - It is on our Home Page.