Transport news
Transport Plan Needed for Whole State
Commuters and transport workers have made transport a priority issue for this weekend’s State election.
It was clear that the people of NSW wanted to see a much stronger focus on transport, and all the major parties have heard the message.
Labor has promised to finish the South West Rail Link, and to build the Epping to Parramatta Link, the Western Express line and a new rail tunnel under the CBD.
The Coalition also wants to build rail lines – but its focus is on a new rail line to Sydney’s North West and light rail for the city, while also completing the South West Rail Link.
Labor has pledged to cap fares until 2012, while the Coalition has promised to cut the cost of monthly and annual tickets.
The Greens have talked about shifting more of the freight task from road to rail, and have pledged to reintroduce rail services on the Casino to Murwillumbah line.
The major parties have failed on some key issues however, particularly in relation to public transport safety.
Both the Coalition and Labor have promised to invest in more CCTV cameras on the public transport network, but cameras will not help someone being bashed at a train station.
There is no substitute for a visible security presence at stations, on buses and on trains to curb violent or anti-social behaviour.
The transport needs of regional communities had been overlooked by the major parties – especially in terms of rail freight.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has held Better Transport Forums in Tamworth, Dubbbo, Byron Bay, Wollongong, Newcastle and Sydney – and the story has been the same all over the State.
Our regional rail infrastructure is in dire need of investment. While much of the political focus has been on urban transport, the state of regional rail infrastructure has been neglected.
For a full analysis of the transport policies of the major parties, have a look at the RTBU’s latest Better Transport Bulletin:
Better Transport Bulletin election edition
Better Transport Bulletin – Policy Analysis
No matter who wins the election on Saturday, the incoming Government will need to deliver a transport plan for all of NSW, not just for Sydney.
Politicians Put Their Transport Vision To Workers
The RTBU recently held its final in a series of Better Transport forums around the state at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts. The forum was a momentous occasion, with many important ideas put forward and discussed.
It was the first time that senior representatives from all the major parties have shared a stage to talk directly with transport workers about transport issues.
It was also an opportunity for the RTBU to present its interim report on the outcomes of the transport forums so far. This document will be completed with the outcomes of the Sydney forum and provide the basis for further discussion on the transport needs of NSW into the future.
Greens Spokesperson for Transport Cate Faehrmann MLC spoke about the need for investment in major transport projects, including the North West and South West rail links and the Epping to Parramatta link.
Ms Faehrmann said the Greens believed that building a better transport system was more important than maintaining a Triple-A credit rating.
Shadow Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian MP said the Liberal Party would introduce a single integrated transport authority to coordinate train, bus and ferry services. Ms Berejiklian said the Liberal Party had always supported the RTBU’s position that extending the existing CityRail network should be a priority before building a new metro network. Ms Berejiklian also announced $60 million in funding to improve access for people with disabilities at train stations.
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Penny Sharpe MLC acknowledged the tireless efforts of workers right across the public transport and rail freight sectors. Ms Sharpe said the Labor Party understood the need to improve safety on public transport, which was why it had introduced new late night ‘Guardian’ services. Ms Sharpe noted the importance of the transport industry to local employment, especially in regional areas and also the popularity of the Metro buses now running right across Sydney.
It is clear transport has become one of the key issues in the State election. By taking a leading role in the transport debate, the RTBU is making sure the views and concerns of public transport users and workers are front and centre for all the major parties.
Call for faster rail to Newcastle and Wollongong
Commuters in Newcastle and Wollongong have made it clear that transport will be a key issue in the upcoming State election.
Better Transport Forums were held recently at the Wollongong Steelers Club and the Newcastle City Hall, with each event attracting a full house. A number of local MPs and candidates turned up to discuss transport issues with a panel of local experts, union members, and members of the public.
At times emotions ran high – especially when people started talking about the need for a faster rail connection between Sydney and Wollongong, and the future of the rail line into Newcastle city. Consistent themes at both forums were:
• the critical role of public transport in helping people access work opportunities;
• the need to invest in better community transport services for the unemployed, disabled and the elderly; and
• the need for investment in better rail and ports infrastructure to move freight.
Better Transport Forums have now been held right around NSW – in Tamworth, Dubbo, Byron Bay, Newcastle and Wollongong. It’s been great to get around the State and to talk to people about the transport issues in their local communities.
With the election just a few weeks away, the next stop for the Better Transport caravan is Sydney, where the RTBU will be hosting a special election edition forum on Wednesday 9 March at 2pm at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts.
It promises to be a big event, so get along and be part of it if you can.
Cap on fares will encourage more people to use trains, buses and ferries
Kristina Keneally’s pledge to cap increases to public transport fares will encourage more people to use public transport, especially as the cost of petrol becomes more and more expensive for commuters.
The onus is now on the other political parties to match this commitment.
Stop the Transport Point Scoring
The Federal Government wants to build a rail link between Epping and Parramatta. The State Liberal Party wants to build a rail link to the North West suburbs of Sydney.
The two parties are now arguing over funding, with the Liberals wanting Labor to divert funding from the Epping-Parramatta project to the North West project instead.
Safer Public Transport is Better Public Transport
The Better Transport Charter was officially launched today at Trades Hall in Sydney.
The launch was the culmination of a long process. The Charter has been developed through extensive consultation with transport workers, local councils, community groups and the public over the past 12 months.
The Charter is a community-driven set of principles for the major state political parties to use in developing their transport policies.
Closing the Transport Gap
The Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW (CPSA) recently launched Closing the Transport Gap. More and more, we’re finding too many people that are unable to access and use the type of services that meet their needs.
When we look at public buses, there’s been an increasing focus on commuter services with bus routes redirected along major roads and fewer bus stops.
This is making transport increasingly difficult for older people and people with disability to use. We’ve called for a ‘social transit’ agenda which would aim to deliver a minimum level of service which would help most people use public transport at any time.
Northern Rivers Forum Shows Need for Transport Options
Last week’s Northern Rivers Better Transport Forum drew a big crowd to the Byron Bay Community Centre.
The forum was hosted by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union in conjunction with local community group Trains on Our Tracks (TOOT), and highlighted the disadvantage suffered by many regional areas from a lack of investment in transport services
Guest speakers at the forum included Karin Kolbe (TOOT), Kerry Sunderland (Journey Beyond Road Trauma), Cr Basil Cameron (Deputy Mayor of Byron Shire) and Cr Jenny Dowell (Mayor of Lismore).
A Better Transport Charter for the Whole Community
The time has come for transport workers and commuters to join together and put some pressure on the major parties.
But if we want our politicians to deliver a better transport system, then we need to make it clear what a better transport system would look like.
That’s why we have developed a draft Better Transport Charter, and why we are now seeking input and feedback from the community.”
Northern Rivers Transport Forum
Northern Rivers Transport Forum
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