Media Release | Friday, 14 December 2012

THE HUNTER DESERVES BETTER - FIRST RATE CITY TO GET A SECOND CLASS TRANSPORT SYSTEM

It makes no sense to spend hundreds of millions of dollars ripping public transport infrastructure out of the Hunter - at a time when every other growing city in the world is doing the exact opposite.

"It makes no sense to rip important public transport infrastructure out of the Hunter," Opposition Leader John Robertson said today.

"At the same time the O'Farrell Government is building new heavy and light rail in Sydney, they are ripping it out of the Hunter at great cost.

"This announcement will give a first rate city a second class transport system.

"The NSW Labor Opposition believes the rail line should be kept as part of the Newcastle CBD revitalisation, not pulled apart.

Media Release | Thursday 13 December 2012

Penny Sharpe MLC, Shadow Transport Minister
Ryan Park MP, Shadow Roads Minister
Mick Veitch MLC, Shadow Minister for Regional Infrastructure

SYDNEY-CENTRIC PLAN CONTAINS NO NEW MONEY FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL NSW

Residents outside of Sydney have been forgotten by the O'Farrell Government's Transport Masterplan – which promotes a $1.6 billion new tram line in the Sydney CBD but contains no new money for transport initiatives in rural and regional NSW.

"Anyone living outside of Sydney will be furious with the Liberals and Nationals' focus on Sydney – while ignoring the significant transport issues throughout regional NSW," Shadow Minister for Transport Penny Sharpe said today.

"This plan contains no new money to improve freight corridors or enhance regional train and bus services.

"People living west of the Great Dividing Range have basically been hung out to dry."

Media Release | Thursday, 13 December 2012

O'FARRELL CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW HE WILL PAY FOR TRANSPORT PLAN

NOT ONE NEW DOLLAR OF FUNDING

There is not one new dollar of funding allocated for infrastructure in the O'Farrell Government's transport plan announced today.  

Opposition Leader John Robertson said the Premier had refused to say how much this plan would cost commuters, motorists and the taxpayers of NSW.

"Another day, another transport plan from the O'Farrell Government and yet we still don't know where the money's coming from," Mr Robertson said.

"The biggest problem with this plan is that we don't know how it will be paid for.

"Will families be hit with new tolls, charges and fares to pay for these unfunded plans?

Media Release | Sunday, 9 December 2012

FARE EVADERS GETTING A FREE RIDE ON SYDNEY BUSES

The O'Farrell Government is giving fare evaders a free ride on Sydney buses - with new figures confirming there has been 88,700 fewer ticket checks performed on the bus network in the past year.

In 2011/12, the number of passengers checked for tickets was down 88,700 to just 534,000 - a 14 per cent drop on the previous year.

This is the lowest number of bus ticket checks performed in the last six years.

"Fare evaders are getting a free ride under the O'Farrell Government," Shadow Transport Minister, Penny Sharpe said today.

Media Release | Wednesday, December 5, 2012

TRAINS GETTING LATER AND DIRTIER UNDER BARRY O'FARRELL

COMPLAINTS UP 10 PER CENT ON LAST YEAR

The Auditor General has revealed CityRail trains are getting later and dirtier under the O'Farrell Government and as a result – passenger complaints have increased by a whopping 10 per cent to 29,219 this year.

During eight peak hour periods in the past year, less than 60 per cent of the train network operated on time with train reliability at its lowest level in four years.

"Today's report confirms what train commuters already know – trains are getting later, dirtier and more crowded under Barry O'Farrell," said Shadow Minister for Transport, Penny Sharpe.

"More than six per cent of trains on the CityRail network arrived more than five minutes late in 2011/12 – the worst on time running in four years.

"Seven out of 16 train lines failed to meet the 92 percent on time running target – a disgraceful performance.

"The worst performing train lines are the Western, Southern Highlands, Newcastle/Hunter, South, East Hills, South Coast and Northern via Strathfield lines.  

"Meanwhile, according to the Auditor General's report today, complaints about dirty trains and stations have increased by a whopping 26 per cent.