Despite record petrol prices across Sydney, the latest CityRail patronage figures reveal an extra 78,000 people using trains each week, well below the increases claimed by the State Government earlier this month.
“Increased patronage is welcome, but distorting the figures for political gain is not,” Mr O’Farrell said.
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In a July 5th media release Transport Minister, John Watkins, claimed ‘more than 103,000 additional passengers a week have ridden the network since the September 2005 timetable changes’.
Official CityRail figures released today show the figure is 78,400.
“Record petrol prices, and not the Iemma Government’s slower and reduced train services, have fuelled the increases,” Mr O’Farrell.
“Despite timetable changes – and a change to the definition of a late train – commuters are still experiencing delays,” he said.
“Trains on the CityRail network have failed to meet on-time running targets for 40 of the 46 weeks since the new timetable was introduced.
Mr O’Farrell said the latest patronage figures showed a total of 273.72 million passengers used CityRail services in 2005/06.
“That’s a similar level to CityRail’s 2002/03 patronage level. It again highlight’s the impact of Labor’s mismanagement of our rail system.
“The tragedy for commuters is that there are now fewer trains on the network than there were 4 years ago.
“CityRail’s ability to fully capitalise on record petrol prices has been harmed by Labor’s timetable that slashed 270 services a day.
“Overcrowding is now a major issue for train commuters,” Mr O’Farrell said.
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