I have since expanded my advocacy for improvements to bus stop infrastructure, trains, taxis and cycling. In the last year I have increased my advocacy to work voluntary for the whole community, with assistance from many community members, for physical improvements. What you see and how you wish to see it is the difference required that needs to be improved. This is done by continually requesting all local stake holders to take up their own interest and grab that opportunity, so that we all can make Mount Druitt a great place to live in!
With my experience in advocating for public transport there has been major improvements with the current State Liberal Government has implemented within the last 4 years and that is primarily with trains. We have had a smooth widely introduction of the popular Opal Electronic Ticketing system, stage by stage and my feeling is we should had this 10-15 years ago. The other important factor is trains are more frequently running in time on peak time and less and less trains are not so late. Also the other improvement that is noticeable is there more cleaner carriages on trains. Electronic Notice Boards in Mount Druitt and Rooty Hill, are also an improvement that was introduced since last NSW State Election and it has been well received, pleasant to read and understand for the majority of commuters.
Personally, I have received support from both sides of the political parties, whilst advocating for these important public transport improvements for over 5 years:
- Mr Richard Amery, retiring Labor Party State Member of Mount Druitt - has been keeping myself informed of speeches and topics raised in NSW State Parliament for improvements required with mostly bus and train services within the area.
- Mr Bart Bassett, current Independent Member (former Liberal Party) State Member of Londonderry.
- Mr John Robertson, former NSW Labor Party Leader, State Member of Blacktown
- Mr Ray Williams, Liberal NSW Parliamentary Secretary of Transport,
- M/ Penny Sharp, NSW Labor Opposition spokesperson Transport
- Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson, Blacktown City Council, Liberal Party and member of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.
- Recently Councillor Charlie Lowles and Councillor Edmond Atalla, Blacktown City Council both from Labor Party presenting motion for bus service improvements to Mount Druitt hospital.
I applaud each and every member mentioned above. They know how they have contributed in the last couple of years and how there is a lot more of improvements to be made for the future.
So the report in the Mount Druitt - St Marys Standard, is showing that Mount Druitt commuters are pleased with Sydney Trains to and from Mount Druitt, generally but there is the situation of overcrowding on carriages and not sitting on seats.
This has been discussed in previous blogs and proven by visual photographs taken and published, on Mount Druitt train Station. Although, I have advocated for this and also the formerly deceased NSW Labor State Member for Penrith, Mr Ron Mullock - one solution we saying (which maybe falling on deaf ears), is the duplication of the railway lines from St Marys to Penrith/Emu Plains. This would allow for a flow of increased train services to ease the overcrowding. The second way of allowing commuters much more ease of getting through the barriers at Mount Druitt train station is an upgrade and expansion of the barriers and concourse as it is hard for commuters to get through the gates to the platforms, when there are hundreds of commuters coming from the platform and blocking access at the barriers.
In relation to bus services not linking with trains, the Mount Druitt commuters can contact by phone or via website 131500 to register feedback. If this is not done Busways will run the area thinking it is all easy, and they are under contract to perform. Mount Druitt is also lucky where there is an active commuters group willing to listen to community members
Cycling and taxis were not touched but I have previous blogs that has covered these areas before! Improvements are definitely required! It is difficult for all aspects of public transport to be covered in one article by our local news papers, as all modes of public transport are important.
I do hope that the next NSW State Members of Londonderry and Mount Druitt also keep myself informed with improvements approved for within the area for the entire community to know and understand.
Click here for 131500
Click for details on Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.
Click here for Mount Druitt - St Mary`s Standard (East)
18 Feb 2015
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