Shadow Minister for Transport Barry O’Farrell said today families in NSW were being forced to use their cars because the Iemma Labor Government had cut train and bus services.
“The good news is that higher petrol prices have led to more people looking for public transport alternatives,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The bad news is Labor continues to reduce the public transport options available,” he said.
“John Watkins’ new train timetable slashed 270 services a day from the CityRail network and then slugged commuters with a fare increase of up to 30%.
ReplyDelete“Since mid-June the Iemma Labor Government has axed 380 weekly bus services, and plans to cut another 270 weekly services from this Sunday.
“As a result many people currently using these services will resort to travelling by car.
“These service cuts have left the public transport system with little spare capacity to cope with people moving to trains and buses as a result of record petrol prices.
“John Watkins cries crocodile tears about motorists paying higher petrol prices but fails to make public transport a viable alternative travel option for these people.
Mr O’Farrell said the any windfall revenues reaped by the State Government from record petrol prices should be used to improve public transport and increase the use of ethanol and other biofuels.
“The Iemma Labor Government has the power to ease the impact of higher petrol prices on NSW families but has so far done nothing,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Everybody knows how useless the trains are in Sydney.
ReplyDeleteThe State Governments solution is more busses. Busses cause congestion and traffic jamms.
Go to the middle of Sydney on any weekday at around 5pm and you'll see what I mean.
They can't afford the Capital for a light rail system so they offer a half baked bus solution.