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The crisis in security on our rail system has commuters worried, as transit officers are replaced by an understaffed Police Transport Command

Media Release | Monday, 20 May 2013

POLICE SHORTAGES ON THE RAIL NETWORK PUTTING COMMUTER SAFETY AT RISK

The safety of commuters is being put in jeopardy following revelations the NSW Police Transport Command has been left below strength and understaffed – despite the O’Farrell Government sacking hundreds of transit officers who previously provided security on the rail network.

New figures show that as of May 3, the NSW Police Transport Command was understaffed by 101 full time police officers – leaving the command operating at only 75 per cent capacity.

There are supposed to be 401 full time police officers patrolling the train network, but currently there are just 300.

Media Release | Monday, 20 May 2013

PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEEDS IN THE NORTHERN TABLELANDS FORGOTTEN

COMMUNITY FORUM HELD IN ARMIDALE

Shadow Minister for Transport, Penny Sharpe hosted a public meeting in Armidale today to give the Northern Tablelands community a chance to have a say about public transport.

“Last year the State Government released the much anticipated Transport Masterplan, but it has little in the way of public transport for communities outside of Sydney,” Ms Sharpe said.

“The Transport Masterplan is focussed on road projects for the New England area - virtually ignoring public transport in this region.

“I know the community is concerned about what the Government’s changes to regional rail services will mean for the region. 

“CountryLink services on the North Western Line haven’t met on time running benchmarks at all this year despite CountryLink having an aim to have 78% of services arrive at their destinations within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.

Media Release | Friday 17 May, 2013

John Robertson MP | NSW Opposition Leader

O’FARRELL GOVERNMENT SHOULD RELEASE NEW TRAIN TIMETABLE FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The NSW Opposition has called on the O’Farrell Government to release the new draft train timetable for public consultation to give commuters the full picture of future services to their local train station and the opportunity to have their say.

The draft timetable – which is set to be implemented in October – will mean huge changes across the entire rail network, yet the full and final draft remains a secret.

“Commuters have a right to know what the new timetable will mean for them,” Opposition Leader John Robertson said.

“The Government shouldn’t be hiding this timetable – it should be released immediately for community consultation.

Media Release | Friday, 10 May 2013

NEW DRAFT TRAIN TIMETABLE SHOULD BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The new draft CityRail timetable should be released for public consultation so commuters can have their say, Shadow Transport Minister Penny Sharpe said today.

The draft timetable – which is set to be implemented in October – has been circulated within Transport NSW, but commuters have been left in the dark.

There are currently 308 stations on the rail network, and some 2800 daily trips between Sydney, the Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and Goulburn.

“I’m calling on Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian to release the draft train timetable so commuters can provide feedback before it is rolled out,” Ms Sharpe said.

“Commuters have a right to know what the new timetable will mean for them.