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.