Solution To New Time Tables DE-Express Train Services....

So now you are wondering what is  the solution to the previous posts problem. It is something that I have been advocating for years and it has been falling on deaf ears.

It is something that former Labor Party Member of Penrith, Ron Mullock has also  been advocating for, prior to his death years ago.

It is something that is falling deaf on ears on NSW Transport Stake holders and hard for Blacktown City Council Transport Officers, to  act on when it is outside their Local Government Area.

It is such a simple solution to resolve and the job could be completed in less than a year, if the Stake holders pool their   monetary resources together, get the planning into projects and then, there would not be De-Express Train Services. It would allow more services to be injected into the City and also on the return journey home, as well. This will reduce the amount of trains station on the current Mount Druitt Express train to stop at and adding a proposed new express train service that could miss St Marys, Mount Druitt train stations heading straight to Rooty Hill, Doonside, Blacktown and Seven Hills, Parramatta and then City, as an additional express train service, catering for those commuters.

So the suggestion will present a cost to the NSW Government but as  all population grows, we cannot just expand and provide new rail infrastructure in certain growth areas and leave other growth areas not catered for. The cost , to my understanding would be as much as  the of providing the new North West and South Westh railway lines links.

 We have duplicated carriageways  all the way to St Marys train Station and from St Marys Train Station to Penrith and Emu Plains, there is a single line carriageway for each direction. So the simple solution is to duplicate the single carriageway right up to Emu Plains or if not direct to Penrith. There would little or none acquiring of  land use to provide the final product as there is ample land on each side of the single carriage way.

 I personally have requested this to beaded to the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan 2030 and Blacktown City Council Integrated Transport Plan. So, it appears that it will nor happen unless more ears hear and understand how this can provide a positive affect in improvement of Sydney Train public transport improvements. If we sit down and read this post and do nothing and you are a stake holder, then then ignorance. Personally, I am not taking any credit for this solution, it would have to go to the Former Member of Penrith, Ron Mullock.

This is the view from East of St Marys Train Station (trains coming from Mount Druitt)

This is West of St Marys Train Station - - where you can see all railway carriage ways lines go into one (each way).

Click here for previous post

No Wonder Busways Has Not Got 100% Airconditioned Buses..... 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Group

Lester from  a member of 'whyilovemountdruitt'  Face book Page has produced a researched report that confirms that 166 buses are not air-conditioned within NSW. Now with this fact coming through, we need  Blacktown City Council Councillors, Transport Department, NSW Members for Mount Druitt, Londonderry and Mulgoa to actively raise this issue in NSW State Parliament and  sent shock waves to Busways  and NSW IPART as we are all paying full fares, when we haven't got the right amount of buses that make our commuters travel comfortably.

 Until we have got the justified amount of buses air-conditioned (being 100%) NSW IPART should  review fares within Mount Druitt and NSW Bus Region 1. Taxis are provided fully air-conditioned, so why not other public transport vehicles?


Here is Lester's Report:

perusal of the Busways fleet on the Bus Australia website reveals that Busways has 768 buses spread over 17 depots in NSW.
Of those 768 buses, 602 have air conditioning and 166 are not air conditioned. The arrival of 18 new buses last year with fleet numbers in the 1200 series have enabled the withdrawal of some of the older non-air conditioned fleet.

The 166 non-air conditioned fleet consists of:
159 Mercedes Benz 0405
3 Mercedes Benz 0405NH (low floor)
3 MAN 16.240
1 MAN 18.260
These buses are allocated mainly to the 3 Sydney depots (Blacktown, Mulgrave, Penrith) and the 2 Central Coast depots (Gosford, Wyong) with a small number amongst the 11 North Coast depots allocated to school runs.
The majority of the air-conditioned buses came with the takeover of King Brothers Port Macquarie which operated the 11 North Coast depots. Further air conditioned buses were inherited from Westbus in 2014 with the new Region One contracts.
Busways founder, Dick Rowe, resisted having air conditioned and low floor buses for a long time. However, in 2005 as a result of the Unsworth review, the State Government took ownership of all bus routes in NSW. The existing bus companies including the Government owned State Transit became contractors to the Government with the Department of Transport, now Transport for NSW, becoming the regulator setting fares and service standards.
One benefit of the Government takeover was air conditioned low floor buses became mandatory for new buses. Dick Rowe had no choice if he wanted to retain his contracts. The first new air conditioned low floor buses arrived in the Busways fleet in 2007 first in White and after 2011 in Blue and White.
The current bus allocation of the Busways fleet is:
Sydney Depots
Blacktown - 147
Mulgrave - 62
Penrith - 104
Pymble Head Office - 2
Central Coast Depots
Gosford - 107
Wyong - 62
North Coast Depots
Bulahdelah - 23
Coffs Harbour - 31
Grafton - 25
Heatherbrae - 21
Kempsey - 22
Laurieton - 28
Macksville - 25
Port Macquarie - 56
Raleigh - 15
Wauchope- 19
Yamba - 19

Click here for previous post
Click here if you want to support Air-conditioned buses Petition

Here is a Local Community Petition To Bring An Important Change To Our Community ' Air-Conditioned Buses 100%

Here is the reason why I have started this petition and I hope that it grows, if you want to be a comfortable  bus commuter:

On hot days, Busways bus drivers and commuters are suffering of heat  conditiond stress whilst driving in and out of Mount Druitt on unair-conditioned buses.

We understand that Busways Glendenning Depot still has over 30 buses unair-conditioned and this is something that should not even be existing of this day and age.

It has been quoted to myself that that this is the only Depot with these buses. All other Depots apparently  have air-conditioned buses. For Driver Safety  and health and safety of commuters, we pledge to all stake holders to remove lf these unair-conditioned buses and replaced them with air-conditioned buses, we deserve  as we are paying the same fares as anyone one else in Sydney.
By denying this proper service, our full bus fares should not be charged, until fully replaced. Commuters of Mount Druitt, deserve the right to be comfortable with the  buses provided to us. Also Busways Bus Drivers, need to drive in comfort, so that there is no medical conditions preventing the bus driver to drive, like overheated conditions and stress from it.

 I'm sure the management of Busways, would not like to drive these unairconditioned buses around our area and  if they were driving in our area,  they would choose to use air-conditioned buses.

Our commuters want to ride in comfort, so they do not stress about these issues and reach their destination in a health and safety state.
So, it is up to our community to commit to this petition and make stake holders understand that commuter and driver comfort on 'Heat days' in so vitally important to our life, We hope that these 'unair-conditioned buses' are not running around NSW Bus Region 1 anyone, shortly.

Click here to post - real story

Click here to sign the Petition

Blacktown City Council Public Transport Forum Number 41

Meeting was opened by Richard Campbell, new Manager for  Access Transport for Blacktown City Council, who says Council is conscious with  demographic expansion between Blacktown to Mount Druitt and is working on behalf of Council for making sure the integration and  between all public transport stake holders ensure that proper public transport  is provide with support within our Local Government Area.

Next guest was newly elected Councillor Chris Quilkey (on behalf of the Mayor), has been handing out flyers at train stations within Ward 1, was a member of a Transport Union and is an Owner of a taxi. He would like to see smooth operations with public transport and for further infrastructure and have taxis on the agenda. 

With a population of 350,000 population and 169 languages with Blacktown Local Government Area 77% use private cars, 4 percent  buses, 4 percent trains and their is no figures on taxis. In relation to train and buses patronage, we are below the Sydney average. This may be due to lack of car park facilities, limited Public Transport services servicing  required distances, lack of  disability services at Root Hill, Doonside and Toongabbie train stations. Our Local Government area has a population larger than Tasmania and yet they have 12 elected Federal Senators.

Then, there was guest speaker, Richard West from NSW Transport - North West Transport Sydney Metro 
Click here for details

In relation to the Northwest rail link with ends in the only trans station of  Blacktown Local Government area of Cudgegong Train Station, still under construction and will extend to new trains stations at Victoria Cross, Barangaroo and  Waterloo, continuing on to Bankstown Train Station.

The news was Cudgegong train station was nearly completed and Rouse hill to have a temporary commuter Car Park and Kellyville (elevated train station to have 1360 commuter car parks spaces).

This is where we seem to be lacking in Mount Druitt, with car park spaces for commuters - we have 220 car spaces at the actual Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park and 150  car spaces alongside mount Druitt train station in North Parade. That is 370 car spaces.

Although, in the well prepared showcase from Mr. West, there was no discussion on  taxi  ranks and   was questioned  on ensuring enough spacing for  mobility taxis enabling enough space  for drop and pick up points (as raised by a member or two of the audience).

I raised questions of why not spend funds on duplicating the dual rail carriageway lines from St Marys to Emu Plains, thus allowing more rail traffic to flow through and also duplicate  the single rail carriageway line between Schofields to Riverstone and I would even suggest further right through to Richmond. I also asked questions on  the route using North West Rail Link via Schofields, Ropes Crossing and Through St Marys to the new Western Sydney International Airport. I really got no positive feed back on this topic, it seemed to fly over their head. He was only interest in this  North West Sydney Metro. 

Questions were  raised about disability car spaces - and he advise 3% of car spaces is  being compliant.

Then we had next guest Andrew Degen, from MSW Transport on  NSW Direct Access Program for train stations/commuter car parks upgrades. Since 2011 NSW Government has allocated $770M for Sydney Train s from 2001 for 4 years and since 2015 $890M has been allocated for the  next 4 years.

 Station upgrades are prioritised by demographics and patronage  figures:  10 new  train station interchanges, 4 new commuter car parks with 1200 car spots with bike sheds.

With commuter car parks they look at traffic flows around the area and look at seeing why growth is in  free commuter car park?  Instead of shoppers using free commuter car park whilst shopping and not using any form of public transport, when only commuters should be using it. Once are free commuter car parks are built, after one week they find they find they are fully utilised. Doonside train station upgrade is in the NSW Transport Ministers Office for approval. Rooty Hill has already been approved and in Mount Druitt Bike sheds have been approved.

Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park

Councillor Quilkey then asked of a brilliant suggestion, 'If there are issues with shoppers parking at Free Commuter Car Park, then why aren't boom gates placed and the Opal Card is used for entry and departing Commuter Car Parks?' It was advised it is a good suggestion.

I have a great feeling that Transport for NSW are looking at doing this and  they cannot divulge this to us, at this stage.  Mount Druitt Commuter  Car park caters for 220 car spaces and alongside the  North Parade, Mount Druitt there are 150  commuter car park spaces. Alongside North Parade Mount Druitt, the Commuter Car Park spaces are used up  up to about 6.30am. I also believe that from a Mount Druitt Sydney Trains spokesperson that they have checked the Commuter Car Park in Mount Druitt and found people working at Centrelink, Mount Druitt  parking there and they can't stop them.

The Opal Card used at boom gate idea, will prevent  people abusing the commuter car park. Maybe if it is found that the car parked in the commuter park, doesn't used any form of public transport, then  parking fees would be charged.

Last speaker was Brendan from  NSW for Transport Buses claims that they are in line in using the  NSW Transport Long Term Master Plan 2030 and Blacktown Integrated Transport Master Plan, looking to provide bus services in growth areas.  Rapid bus and feeder programs will alleviate bus congestion, enable to catch other buses and trains.

In  NSW Bus Region 1 since 2011 - 30 new buses services and over 2,000 new bus trips per week. Enhance buses services are 611 Blacktown to Macquarie Park, 700, 740, 751, 752 & 774.

He also announced minor bus services changes on 749, 750,751,754,756, 758 & 771.

Services must the needs of community through customer feed back, patronage data, NSW Transport Data, land use planning, roads suitability, timing  considerations, finally available funds and resources.

Comments and questions I raised, were to  agree with Councillor Quilkey with using Opal Card for entrance and exit of Commuter  Car Parks.  

Questioned why Maps have been taken out of  Bus Time Tables at Mount Druitt Bus Interchange time tables?  We do have people coming to the area and they may not know which way the route(s) are going.

Asked about the Rooty Hill Station upgrade wasn't mentioned - it was announced by NSW Government before and also asked of the the upgrade of Mount Druitt Train Station as it needs to be widened to cater for peak times where it takes more than 10 minutes to reach barriers at present.

There was talk about we need more car spaces, I actually stated that the issue is not more commuter car spaces, I stated that NSW for Transport should promoted more  bus service and a higher frequency of bus services and you will will not need commuter car parks.  With that I suggested a promotion of  catch buses, will actually make commuters leaves cars at home. 

This is important when in Mount Druitt we are having car parking issues as previously mentioned in previous posts and now we have  370 free commuter car parking spaces - not all used by commuters and in Westfield, they have had  commuters using  free parking in their car park.

It was also mentioned that no maps on  new bus time tables  stands at Mount Druitt  Bus Interchnage, as previously supplied.

Residents of Colebee were complaining about nearest bus stop not being 400metres for them is 750 metres and they have to walk to Dean Park to get to better service - about 1km walk.

There will be documented and noted and seen by all public transport stake holders and hopefully, they will one day listen and make these important changes.

I can also see that after the meeting the new Manager at Blacktown City Council agrees with myself with the duplication of lines from Penrith to Emu Plains. When you get one person agree in authority, that makes it that much easier to promote. 

Click here for previous post 2015 Transport Forum 2015

Further Info On Mysterious Interviewer At Mount Druitt Train Station - Was He A Scam?

So, serious concerns are being raised now after information provided to myself, by a Sydney Trains Mount Druitt spokesperson.

When I reflect on what I witnessed last week with the interviewer, what I was told by a Blacktown City Council Transport Spokesperson and finally, what I was told today, it is worrying me!

I was told today that 2 days before the male interviewer commenced his interviews/surveys on last Thursday week, he approached the Sydney Trains Mount Druitt spokesperson, showing a authentic/copy document from Blacktown City Council, allowing him to do interview.

This interviewer required and requested access to the below platforms and he was denied for 2 reasons: he refused to show his personal identification and Sydney Trains Mount Druitt, did not receive an email from their Head Office confirming any interviewer was coming from Blacktown City Council or from a private company. 

Once they are informed of these people doing interviews or  handing out leaflets, they have to proceed with an induction process, allowing them access to platforms. Emails are always received (Sent by Head Office) if interviewers or a campaign is on by Opal before the event.

I have also sighted the Mount Druitt Train Station diary and there was 'NO' entry of interviewer added in the book for that day- I was advised it was a new Duty Manager on that day and the Sydney Trains Mount Druitt spokesperson will discuss and investigate this matter further. They normally keep a copy of the documents from Opal or any other interviewers and so far no copies of these types, were sighted, from this myster.

The interviewer was only allowed to stay between Station Masters office and the electronic ticketing machine. 

After I advised that the interviewer was not representing Blacktown City Council, that I spoke to him  and was asking for commuters  under 49 years and requesting their phone numbers and names, the Sydney Trains Mount Druitt Spokesperson was shocked.


This is what is worrying myself, for the commuters that freely gave their details to this interviewer - the interviewer never gave a  business card or document explaining what the interview was about - all to me sounding suspicious. Added to this, is that the Blacktown City Council Transport Spokesperson advised his department knew nothing of any surveys they are conducting for under 50's, or on public transport.

I hope this is now further investigated and we get a response  from all relevant authorities for the benefit and to ensure that commuters provided details are not used for improper use.

Click here for previous post

Blacktown City Council - Transport Division - On The Go! - With Traffic Lights And An Extended Bridge

After speaking to a Blacktown City Council spokesperson today, there are  some new improvements coming on board on the drawing board.

They have heard that NSW Roads and Maritime Services is shortly going to work on the  Pedestrian Crossing access way on the eastern side of the traffic lights entrance to Westfield Mount Druitt. Click here for previous post.

Blacktown City Council have receive submission for a traffic lights to be installed at the corner of Kelly Close and Luxford Roads, Mount Druitt and also the Transport division has made recommendations to  NSW Roads And Maritime Services for a dual roadway on the Francis Road/ Railway Street and David overpass. The inhibiting fact is funding for the the dual overpass would cost $10M, which the NSW RMS is searching for - Click here for previous posts. Click here for previous post

Mysterious Survey/Interviewer Representing Blacktown City Council At Mount Druitt Train Station

On last Thursday I  had watched how a certain person was choosing commuters for a  possible interviews as it seemed like. So I approached him and got a strange reaction.

So it is  was Blacktown City Council Representative interviewer - working on behalf a company called 'Micro...'. He was seeking confirmation and gathering of names and phone numbers from individual commuters, who are aged 49 years or under for a survey, for Blacktown City Council.

I'm trying to work out why a survey would be conducted by Blacktown City Council for a certain age group and exclude another age group as there are a mixture of commuters using public transport Sydney Trains to and from work in a mix of ages. He was very secret about what was the survey about.


 I was aged if I'm over 50 years and when I immediately replied, 'Yes', I was told he didn't want me for this - and was told is a private survey and he wasn't interested in my self. Well being a  public transport enthusiast and advocate for  nearly 7 years, I asked what the survey was all about and he said, 'It is a secret and he is just gathering names and phone numbers' and went off his own way. Then he said Blacktown City Council will be council these commuters directly.

Speaking to a Mount Druitt Sydney Trains spokesperson, he had been their for hours on hours and been at Blacktown Train Station as well that day.

The strange this here that today, I spoke to a Blacktown City Council Transport spokesperson and  according to them, they are not running or conducting community surveys for public transport. It was stated they would contact local communities like myself  (as community advocate) and groups like ' Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc., first.  Also they reach out  to the community through their Annual  Public Transport Forum, which has been running for years and is a great asset to them.

So this makes me think is this person legally allowed to obtain phone numbers and names, at all. I'm sure we will hear from the relevant authorities on this topic.