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CANDIDATES CALL FOR FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT - January 16th 2008
A group of candidates running in the upcoming Warringah Council election is calling on the State Government to provide a week of free public transport to commuters on the Northern Beaches.
It’s hoped the week of free travel would encourage car users to become familiar with using public transport and would also provide the State Government with an opportunity to identify areas of need.
The Wake Up Warringah team claims there is a long history of neglect when it comes to adequate transport services in the area and that it’s time for the State Government to show their commitment to the area.
The call comes as Sydney Buses increased their fares by 3.6% with a single adult bus trip increasing by up to 20 cents. This follows a similar increase in fares last January when there was an average rise of 2.6%.
“This is the latest slap in the face to the commuters on the Northern Beaches” said Michael Regan, one of the group’s members. The Forestville resident will be running as a candidate in the C Ward area of Warringah.
“Since the State election in March, we have seen the Government abandon their plans to upgrade the Spit Bridge; now there’s a suggestion to privatise our ferries with no attention paid to integrated transport measures despite some genuine solutions being offered by those with a great deal of local knowledge.”
“Then we have Warringah Road and the surrounding roads which continue to be gridlocked every peak hour - a situation that is only set to get worse when the promised new hospital is built. In particular, concerns have already been raised about the capacity for roads such as Wakehurst Parkway and Forest Way to cope with the increased demands which the hospital will bring. A cynic would suggest that we may be looking at yet another State Government tollway there to cope with the increase”.
“We have limited transport options here on the beaches; the State Government should be encouraging all of us to use Public Transport but instead they’re making it increasingly hard”.
Mr Regan will suggest to the State Transport Minister John Watkins that the Government provide the people of the Northern Beaches with a week of free public transport as an incentive to first get them using the service.
Bronwen Thomas, a resident of Harbord and a candidate for B Ward agreed. “This initiative would get commuters familiar with using the service, it would help the Government identify where there are areas of need and it would also be a much appreciated sign of good will from the Labour Government.”
“Obviously there would need to be a fair bit of planning involved – extra buses would need to be put on to ensure that loyal customers further down the routes aren’t disadvantaged by newcomers. But we do it well for special events such as the Easter Show, Rugby matches or even the Olympics so why not as a one off week that will reap long term benefits?”
“This is one area where party politics has really let us down” said Mr Regan. “A Labour Government is going to need a lot of convincing to address problems in a perceived Liberal area. And that’s just plain wrong! This is an issue that should be free of party politics and that’s why we want to ensure there’s an independent voice on Warringah Council, pushing local issues and ensuring party politics is kept out! This is about local people solving local issues and contributing to the bigger picture!”
Miss Thomas highlighted the need for a broader approach to transport issues “There are so many possible solutions at all levels of Government that both major parties have ignored over the years – integrated transport measures to link various networks, a community bus service such as the Freebie bus in Manly, dedicated bus only lanes, cheaper public transport to encourage greater use. We’ve gone beyond the shallow measures of ministers opening park and ride facilities. A regional approach should be developed through SHOROC and real solutions provided to the long suffering commuters of the Northern Beaches”
Mr Regan says a formal approach will be made to the Minister and his Department. “We eagerly await a response to our suggestion from Mr Watkins”.*
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