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| Sunday, May 17, 09:14:43am | [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ] |
| Subject: Free buses for CBD | |
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Author: November 17, 2003 |
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Date Posted: Wednesday, November 19, 10:07:13am Free buses for CBD November 17, 2003 FREE buses in the centre of Wollongong is one of the options proposed under the biggest review of the state's bus services in more than 40 years. Former NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth is investigating ways for travellers to enjoy faster, more frequent bus services with dedicated corridors in Sydney and regional centres like Wollongong. Mr Unsworth's interim report, to be released today, suggests investigating free buses for Wollongong, Newcastle and Parramatta CBDs, jointly funded by state and local government. The report also includes a proposal to set up more than 40 dedicated bus corridors in Sydney and a smartcard system to pay bus companies accurately for taking students to schools. Mr Unsworth, a former transport minister, said the review aimed to create a bus system with common standards of fares and service levels tailored to the needs of each community. advertisement advertisement "The review has examined bus travel requirements in both urban and rural communities, and accepts that the problems and solutions differ in each locale," he said in his interim report. Under the main proposals, Sydney would have 43 new suburban bus corridors providing faster, direct travel at 10-minute intervals in peak times. The Sydney metropolitan area would be divided into 10 contract regions, with bus companies bidding for five-year contracts to service each region. Each company would also have to meet tougher performance standards. Newcastle would be divided into two regions while Wollongong and the Central Coast would each have one region. At present there are 236 commercial bus contracts held by 167 operators statewide. Mr Unsworth also proposed an electronic card system to rein in the cost of the School Student Transport Scheme. Under the present system, the Government pays bus companies $427 million a year based on the number of bus passes issued, despite reports many children with passes are getting to school some other way. Smartcard technology would be introduced for school bus travel, ensuring companies were only paid for actual trips taken. The review also proposed increasing the Pensioner Excursion Ticket to $2.50 from $1.10, but making it available for all pensioners and war widows and widowers. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |