'Boy Sorts Out Bus Sevice' - St Marys Star

BY KYLIE STEVENS

04 May, 2010 09:45 AM

MEET the Shalvey student who could become the saviour of disadvantaged bus passengers.
Blake Bardowski, 14, has devised his own bus network and timetable.

It includes many Mt Druitt areas inconvenienced under timetables that were revamped last year.

The Save Our Bus Services lobby group has endorsed the proposal as Blake's Way, which he will unveil to the public in the coming months.

Blake says he knows how disgruntled commuters feel.

His trip to and from Penrith High School takes an hour longer now.

``But I was saddened when I heard about the commuters who can't get to places, do their shopping or see their grandchildren,'' he said.

Blake spent three months creating his network, which consists of almost 60 routes and goes as far as Penrith, Rouse Hill, Castle Hill and Liverpool.

There are 20 new routes, including a shuttle service between Mt Druitt station, Westfield, Mt Druitt Hospital, Zoe Place, North Parade and Sherbrooke Street for free or a small fare.

Blake revised the 730A/C route to give commuters quick and direct access between Mt Druitt, Whalan, Bidwill, Shalvey and Lethbridge Park.

The popular 755 run would include Plumpton.

Sunday services would be restored to Chestnut Crescent, Middleton Crescent and Manifold Road in Bidwill.

Buses would return to no-go zones in Siandra and Koomooloo crescents in Shalvey, but still avoid rock-throwing hot spots.

Timetables were revised to cater for early morning shift workers who now have to get taxis.

Blake is surprised at the overwhelming public support for the proposal so far.

He would be happy if half of his ideas were taken on board by bureaucrats.

``It would be a win-win for everyone, including bus companies with extra patrons,'' he said.

But Blake says he will be surprised because, he says, the government ignores community comments.