Local Commuters Group Inc Is Changing To A Community Group

Another change for a local lobby group, may they succeed, but be mindful of leaving public transport and buses behind their agenda.

I know the original history of Mound Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc. and also Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt & Surrounding Suburbs as I was both founding President and Chair. 

Originally, is was a bus lobby group, when 3 bus services were removed from the area and that is what those members of the group wanted  in 2009. I was a an unknown member of the community, yet I was entrusted, to lead a group of passionate people to meetings, speaking to Local and State politicians, Local and State bureaucrats and to bus drivers and Managers of Westbus and Busways. 

Although, I grew so much with the community to help the community, our backs were against the wall yet we were lobbying against two members of the 'Government of the Day' as their were many reasons for that to happen.

When you speak to Council bureaucrats about removal of bus services, although they were supportive, they had very little power to get the NSW Government to change their mind.  I do thank the Manager of Traffic in Council  as he wanted  groups like ours to engage and be involved, by inviting us to Blacktown City Public Transport Forums, each year.

Then you speak to Bus drivers, ' It is up to management that decide on bus routes'. Then you speak to 'Busways Management' they blame the NSW Government  for removing bus services and then when you talk to NSW Transport Spokesperson, they advised it is based on surveys, feedback, ticket sales, local patronage and they never made that decision to remove bus services, that was left with the NSW of Minister of Transport and Roads.

So the finger pointing still  happens today. Yet I must say that although the two local State Members at the time, Mr Richard Amery, Member for Mount Druitt and the then Member for Londonderry, Allan Shearan, now I believe were not to blame - yet they copped the brunt of it. Based on the  facts presented to us. Their NSW Minister of Transport, Mr David Campbell had the pen that agreed to remove bus services. Why didn't our local members know abut it at the time?

If they did, would they have prevented these bus services to operate? I think they might have if they knew there was going to be upheaval. So the finger pointing went on and on and still does.

So this is when I  placed th my vision of changing the name of the group to looking after all types of public transport and that meant:  taxis and trains, bus top infrastructure and that why we came to an agreement to be called ,'Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc'. Which sounded so official and had a great ring to it that Mr Richard Amery, then Member of Mount Druitt and the Member for Pittwater, Mr Ray Williams, mentioned  the website in NSW Parliament at times, it was getting very popular.

I  did not renew my membership for 2 years for a few personal reasons as well as I remember that I published a post congratulating Richard Amery for his service to the NSW Parliament and Mount Druitt constituents and at a meeting, it was raised that I didn't have group approval to do this. So, that is why I have  gone to 'Whyilovemountdruitt'.

Now the group wants to become a Mount Druitt main community group covering public transport  as part of many local issues. The idea is good but as advised by one of my idols: Joan, are we losing the main picture, by changing name.

There are a few groups in Mount Druitt but no major lobby groups, this could be a good concept to get the community being active and support this group. I know one thing they will not be able to maintain their current website/blogspot - a new website may be created. I'll have to ensure that records of the website is ready for archive and referred to the 'Mount Druitt Historical Society'.  Also a new Face Book Page with new illustrations and possible organise T-Shirts for the community with the funds they have, promoting their new group. Now a new  era is happening.

As for the name change, I think basically, Mount Druitt Progressive Community' could be a great name change, So we will  find out after they have their Meeting this week on this Saturday. 

Click  here for first post of Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.

Click here for 2nd post and a historical one

Blacktown Public Transport Forum Report 2015

 







 Last Thursday, I represented the people and public transport commuters of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs under 'whyilovemountdruitt' banner. First time that I had done that. In the previous 5 years of attending these meetings, I had represented the people and commuters of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs under the banners of 'Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement group Inc,' and 'Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt and Surrounding Suburbs'. 

The purpose that I have been asked honorably by Blacktown City Transport Officers, is because of my passionate cause to get proper public transport services and infrastructure within the area and ensure all stake holders are aware that there are community representatives 'are heard and have their say'! The greatest pleasure I have in these transport forums is listening, learning and providing general positive feedback the forum. If you have any interest in public transport and you can demonstrate a positive role you have taken on board within your local community, become an activist and  help the community.

Our Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali, opened the Forum, providing the importance of planning in the future, listening to the community, stake holders presentation moving towards a positive future. He also touch on the Badgerys Creek airport, how it will affect the residents and community members of Blacktown Local Government Area, with planes flying low circulating above the air and close they will be near us. The Mayor touched on an idea where transit lanes could be considered on Luxford Road for buses. Interesting thought! This was a great entrance to be updated with the NorthWest Rail link update.

It seemed the NSW for Transport spokesperson had covered all areas of accessibility for commuters that  use wheelchairs and prams, to and from new stations. The Taxi Council representatives was happy that areas were being provided  with open discussions to assist with taxi access and stands. It seemed like this is feed back that was asked for at last forum.

We then also had a representative from Transport for NSW on the release of the new Bus Time Tables as from 29th November 2015.
Although the hidden agenda here is to streamline bus routes; to modernize and upgrade them (making them straighter). 

While the Busways 737 bus service is being replaced by another  bus service, a new bus service 723 traveling beside the Mount Druitt Hospital not inside Mount Druitt Hospital and the bus service 759, with part of the route excluded from previous bus route. The main issues raised was:

1. Why not  use the 780 only bus service to Tregear along the route of the 674 in Mount Druitt. NSW Transport are not seeing numbers for community members bus to hospital.
2. Why are buses traveling along south Mount Druitt head on a more direct route to Blacktown South, rather than heading north at Doonside and not covering the south of Blacktown.
3. Willmott residents were not letter box dropped and therefor not notified of bus time table changes.
4. The issue of late night and early morning bus services  Neglected on weekends: If East, North and South get it why can't the West get it?
5. Also larger signs of "Smoke-free Act 2000" on Bus interchanges. Taxi Council Representative advised they can be contacted and the appropriate signs placed.

Then there was the Cycling Plan for Blacktown City Council presented by Nirab, Senior Transport Officer- where we are starting to see extension of bike routes planned for the next year. This is a step (path) in the right direction!

Then there was the Blacktown City Council, Integrated Transport Plan presented by Abdur, Transport Officer. It covered all that was previously discussed as well as new road projects, roundabouts and  other important improvements in infrastructure.

In summary that was it, except the members of the Mount Druitt Commuters Group Inc. have asked for feed back on getting the 780 only Tregear bus to  travel the route of the 674, in west Mount Druitt.

I further found out that  the time tables have not been delivered into the community as previously done as more and more commuters are using online applications on phones for time tables.

I must admit Busways must be applauded for providing a stand at   the drop off part of the Mount Druitt Interchange, providing hard copy time tables to bus commuters. I do not know how often this was done, but if it was all day it would got the message across! 

Click here for Busways Blacktown Tables

Click Here for Council's Bike Plan Report 2015 

Click here for Blacktown City Council Integrated Transport Master Plan Report 2015