NSW Liberal Leader Peter Debnam and Shadow Minister for Transport Barry O'Farrell today announced a Liberal/Nationals Government will immediately move to expand the existing light rail system from Central to Circular Quay and conduct urgent feasibility studies on other metropolitan areas.
"Linking Central Station and Circular Quay by light rail will offer travellers a real alternative to slow, overcrowded buses or their own cars," Mr Debnam said.
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"Sydney is a global city and deserves a public transport system that is clean, safe and reliable," he said.
"This city needs a system of public transport that attracts more commuters, not a band-aid bus solution that only adds to the existing problems. Light rail is the answer.
"I will consider two routes for the light rail loop through the Sydney CBD – either a Central to Circular Quay route via George Street or via Castlereagh Street.
"Within 90 days of taking office and in close co-operation with Sydney City Council, we will make a decision on one of the two options.
"Commuters deserve an integrated transport network that incorporates light rail as a real alternative. If Labor won't commit to the expansion of light rail, I will," he said.
The Liberal/Nationals will expand light rail in NSW. We will:
• Establish a city loop route through the CBD from Central to Circular Quay removing buses from the streets where light rail operates;
• Assess the potential expansion of light rail from Central to other suburbs in Sydney including Burwood via Parramatta Road, Bondi, Maroubra via Anzac Parade and Mascot;
• Assess the potential to expand light rail in other areas of Sydney and greater NSW including Parramatta, Strathfield, Northwest Sydney, the Northern Beaches, Newcastle and an appropriate mass transit option for Wollongong.
Mr O'Farrell said the Liberal/Nationals would work with local government and local communities as part of the consultation process.
"CBD light rail will slash up to 20 minutes off Circular Quay to Central bus times and enable the movement of up to 37,400 passengers through the CBD each day," Mr O'Farrell said.
"The reduction in the number of buses entering the CBD will ease traffic congestion and take pressure off the CBD heavy rail stations.
"There are currently about 7,400 buses travelling through the CBD each weekday, predicted to rise to 9,400 buses by 2021 without a new public transport solution.
"Light rail is an environmentally friendly solution as light rail is powered by electricity, compared with diesel guzzling buses and their toxic emissions," Mr O'Farrell said.
Mr Debnam said after 12 years and nearly 50 reports, Morris Iemma and Labor have refused to commit to light rail because of the Labor Party's links to the bus union.
"Morris Iemma, Michael Costa, Carl Scully, and John Watkins have been failures in transport, as well as their colleagues Joe Tripodi, Frank Sartor and Eddie Obied over Labor's 12 years.
"The people of NSW deserve higher standards, better services and balanced budgets," Mr Debnam said.
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