NSW Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Western Sydney Barry O’Farrell, Shadow Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian and Liberal Candidate for Penrith Stuart Ayres today announced the NSW Liberals’ plan to deliver faster, more frequent and safer transport services for Penrith and Lower Mountains residents.
“Stuart Ayres and I have spent many mornings talking to commuters at train stations across the Penrith electorate and the key message is that they want faster, more frequent trains and to feel safe at train stations,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Locals are angry that, under Labor, the daily commute takes longer now than in 2004. They are frustrated their trains are frequently late and overcrowded and they are very concerned about the level of crime at stations and commuter car parks,” he said
“Hearing these concerns, Stuart Ayres has worked with Gladys Berejiklian and I to develop a practical plan to improve rail services for local commuters,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Mr Ayres said he has also spoken to older residents wanting to more easily move around the community and younger residents who wanted more late night transport services to get home safely from shift work or a night out with mates.
“I’ve listened to residents and fought hard to get a commitment from the NSW Liberals & Nationals to deliver better transport services for Penrith and Lower Mountains.
“I’m pleased to announce a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will:
- Introduce new express train services to and from Penrith.
- Use a $40 million Park and Travel Safety Fund to improve commuter safety across the CityRail Network, including Penrith and the Lower Mountains region.
- Improve Nightride bus services to Penrith.
- Increase funding for GREAT Community Transport by $50,000 per annum.
“My plan will deliver better transport services for Penrith and Lower Mountains residents,” Mr Ayres said.
Ms Berejiklian said Labor’s timetable changes have resulted in fewer, slower train services between Penrith and the city.
“If elected to Government we will conduct a full review of the CityRail timetable to prioritise the urgent introduction of additional peak and express services on the CityRail network, including the Western Line,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“In 2009 there was a total 161 incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour at Penrith train stations and on Penrith trains[1] and 94 incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour at Penrith car parks.[2]
“Our $40 million Park and Travel Safety Fund will improve platforms, stations, trains and car parks through additional CCTV cameras, improved lighting and reliable help points across the CityRail network, including Emu Plains and Penrith stations.
“We will double Nightride services to Penrith on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday night so that late night commuters such as shift-workers and people wanting to get home after a night out can get home safely.
“This will see half hourly services from the city to Penrith, from midnight to 4am, resulting in an extra 12 Nightride services per week.
“Community Transport is important in assisting the elderly, frail or people with disabilities getting to appointments, grocery shopping or accessing social services.
“GREAT Community Transport services the Penrith and Lower Mountains and to help them deliver services to more people we will increase funding by $50,000 per annum.”
Mr O’Farrell said only a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government can deliver better transport services to Penrith and the Lower Mountains.
“A Labor win in the by-election, or at next year’s State election, would see more of the same for local commuters. Stuart Ayres represents the change train travellers want and this area needs,” Mr O’Farrell said.
[1] NSW Police FOI Determination, 22 February 2010
[2] NSW Police FOI Determination, 1 March 2010
