Bus and Tram Express
Bus and Tram Express

Media Release: Park and ride axing: NSW Government attacks Newcastle commuters once again 

Mar 21, 2019Uncategorized

The NSW Government’s decision to axe the Newcastle park-and-ride bus service is the latest in a long list of attacks the NSW Government has made on Newcastle commuters.

The service carries commuters from McDonald Jones Stadium to the city each morning and returns again in the afternoon.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Tram and Bus Division Secretary, David Babineau said the axing will have a significant impact on commuters, who will be forced to change their daily travel plans.

“It seems this government is determined to make life as difficult as possible for commuters in Newcastle,” Mr Babineau said.

“Governments have a responsibility to ensure people have access to safe, affordable and efficient public transport, but instead we’ve got a government hell-bent on cutting services at every opportunity.

“Scrapping this service is just another move to force Newcastle commuters onto private on-demand buses, which are more expensive for both the tax payer and the commuter.

“Reports in July last year showed that on average, every trip taken on an on-demand bus cost the taxpayer $180. That is just reckless decision making by this Government that sadly, Newcastle commuters are now very accustomed to.

“This NSW Government is obsessed with removing public transport just to help their mates in the big end of town.

“Novocastrians have had their bus stops closed, their routes cut, their train line torn up and now we hear even more routes are being axed.

“The NSW Liberal Government’s attack on the commuters of Newcastle would be laughable if it wasn’t so incredibly serious.”

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