Increased train patronage is welcome news for all Sydneysiders, but owes more to record petrol prices than the Iemma Government’s decision to slash and slow CityRail services, Shadow Minister for Transport Barry O’Farrell said today.
“While NSW recorded patronage growth of 0.72% over the 12 months from June 2005 to May 2006, bigger increases have been recorded interstate,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“For example Victoria recorded a 10% increase in train patronage in the last 12 months,” he said.
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“The regret is Labor’s decision to slash 270 services a day means CityRail doesn’t have spare capacity to cope with people moving to trains as a result of record petrol prices.
“Commuters know reducing services has led to packed morning and afternoon peak trains, with many severely overcrowded.
“They also know that, despite slowing the system and redefining ‘late’ trains, services in the afternoon peak are still failing to meet CityRail’s reliability targets.
“Sydney trains have failed to meet on-time running targets in the evening peak for 37 of the 42 weeks since the new timetable was introduced.
“Following this week’s fare increase, train commuters are now paying more for a train system that is slower and still can’t get them home on time.
Mr O’Farrell said line-by-line patronage figures confirmed growth was greatest where trips were longest or where petrol price increases had the biggest impact.
“It’s further confirmation of the effect of record fuel prices on the growth in patronage.
“Even taking account of these latest figures there are still 450,000 fewer people using trains than four years ago.
“Until we get those people back no-one should be happy,” Mr O’Farrell said.
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