Western Sydney Transport Symposium Agenda

Transport Symposium 2010

10am arrive, registrations and refreshments

10.30 What are we doing today?
Who is WSPTU? Explanation of the Steering Committee and the main Policy Forum.
Take expressions of interest to be on the Steering committee and the Policy Forum.

11.00 Presentation 1
Professor Corrine Mulley Chair of Public Transport and
Rhonda Daniels, Senior Researcher, Institute Transport Logistics Studies (ITLS)
“Bus planning and the distance gap.
What can be done to improve access”

11.30 Workshop 1
Work around the table
What did we think about what we heard and what recommendations would we make?
Delegation to Meet the Minister for Transport and Shadow Minister. Are there people who would like to create a delegation to talk to the Transport Minister and Shadow Minister on this topic - local transport options and the consultation processes? Nominate yourselves and meet at the end today; 3.30pm.

12.00 Lunch

1pm Presentation 2
Vicki Jarvis and Customer Relations Manager - CityRail.
“How does CityRail and RailCorp work?
How can a local groups interact with CityRail to get improvements or changes to local facilities and services?”

1.30 Workshop
Work around the table
What did we learn from the presentation and what recommendations would we make?

2pm Break and refreshments

2.30 Presentation 3
John Evenden: Access Consultant.
What is important about bus stop infrastructure? Who organises bus stop infrastructure and how is it allocated?

3pm Workshop
Work around the table
What did we learn from the presentation and what recommendations would we make

3.30 Summary, Conclusion,
Info about the website, reminders to leave your contact info and put in your expressions of interest for the Steering Committee and Policy Forum.
Delegation to meet the Minister and ShadowTransport Minister. People from Workshop 1 who are interested to be in a delegation about local transport options and the consultation processes; exchange contact info and make a time to meet to talk about what to do.
Finish and Refreshments.

People Are Great - When Providing Them With Transport Flyers

First of all they think it is an electioneering campaign that I am working on - yet it isn't - It is a Transport Symposium that i am promoting - last year 60 people attended the first one from all around Western Sydney our group wasn't formed when The first Transport Symposium was held.

People now smile, say 'thank you' and they ask questions , they fold the flyer, they place it is their bag, one lady even asked where it is and how to get there nad one young man came up to me patted me on the back and said 'thanks mate'! PEOPLE ARE GREAT!

Some people have asked me - what does symposium mean - well from wikipedia here it is:-

Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means "to drink together") but has since come to refer to any academic conference, or a style of university class characterized by an openly discursive format, rather than a lecture and question–answer format. The sympotic elegies of Theognis of Megara and two Socratic dialogues, Plato's Symposium and Xenophon's Symposium all describe symposia in the original sense. The Latin equivalent in Roman society is the convivium.Symposium as a social activity in antiquity.

The Greek symposium was a key Hellenic social institution. It was a forum for men to debate, plot, boast, or simply to party with others. They were also frequently held to celebrate the introduction of young men into aristocratic society. Symposia were also held by aristocrats to celebrate other special occasions, such as victories in athletic and poetic contests.

So all you have to do is 'pre' add the word 'Transport', and this will give you an idea what will happen - enjoy yourself on 7/8/10!!!!

It's All Not A Smooth Road For Me!

When I moved out from affluent suburbs like Paddington, Bondi, Kingsford and even Cronulla, I left suburbs that you wouldn't dream have much bad transport. This could be that because a majority of bureaucrats may have lived out in the Eastern suburbs and north shore to Southern Suburbs, in those days.

Since living within Mount Druitt for an accustomed 19 years before bus services were deleted last year, i think I had it easy with public transport compared to what we have now. Yet, if I compare our society to poorer countries, we are well advanced with transport than them. Keeping in mind we live in a modern world that that modern technological changes every day, we should not live in a backward society and neither should the poorer countries be neglected in all facets that we hold in true value with life.

Now don't complacent with the above mentioned comments just made if you are a decision maker or planner of different types of transport around Western Sydney or Mount Druitt.

I am not a perfect person but I can say I have only 'Steered' our group to where we are today, not with support from a lot of quality group members and community members. I have taken the good with the bad - bad meaning criticism and objection to what we have been doing, just last week I was handing out to some young ladies the the 'Transport Symposium Flyers' - when an elderly made swore at me saying I am stupid and mad, using prolific language' - when I left the bus he gentle raised his middle finger to me in complete object to what I was doing! I never said a word against him neither did I want too - some people just like getting upset because they are upset! I forgive this man as he not know what he was really doing!

I still go forward and carry on!

Without Transport....

Without any transport not one of us can get anywhere. Without any transport, we can only walk on on feet. Without any transport we can not get to work on time. Without ant transport we can reach our major shopping centres. Without transport we can not go the zoo. Without transport we may not reach the church on time!

Without transport, there is no road to success. Without transport children can not reach their schools and be educated. without transport there would be no taxi, bus and train drivers. Without transport people could not do their everyday shopping. Without work we can not visit our doctors. Without transport we would not make it to the emergency of a hospital on time.Without transport we would find our way out. Without transport, we can earn the money to buy. Without transport we can not run transport.

With out transport we need transport to get us all around!

Westfield Stall Provides Warm Feedback

On last Saturday, we had a Transport Symposium table at WestFields Mount Druitt, to promote the Transport Symposium on the 7th August 2010 and as you normaly do: listen to the community with any transport issues they have. Although we had only a small window of opportunity to promote our cause - this opened up eyes for a few community members we then recruited new members from Mount Druitt and St Marys area.

There are community members still wanting to voice their concern of both bus and trains public transport. It is amazing that we as a bus group are actually talking about the wider transport issues that we face on a daily basis.

We had a few bus issues that was raise with us - that the community wanted us to comment on:-

* No buss to Blackett, now to Poppondetta, children is forced to walk with unsupervised crossing an cannot afford bur trips each way

* No bus services to Mt. Druitt Hospital from Doonside. Train services are slightly better than bus services

* Would like the Tranpsort Symposium make transport come on time!

We are still a vocal group within Mount Druitt. We will not let our community down!

Not Only Are We 'Looking Forward', We Are Looking Backward To Our Group's Success And What Can Happen With Us In Our Future!

Although Blacktown Council seems to own The Transport Forum of recent and seem to have a hold on it, this represent a local government having power on this issue.

We don't realise how much power and decision making goes behind providing a new bus service or redesigning bus services around the area from the local council. What I don't mean is not taking away the voting rights of councilors on Blacktown City Council.They provide the final stamp of approval based mostly on party lines and this maybe to look good or make the opposition look bad. Most of these important decisions happen within the administration of the council - which of the public think they do anything but in reality they do a lot of background work not seen by us.

They are qualified in their own profession as engineers, community councilors and internal customer service staff to do their job within their own boundaries in a professional manner. The General Manager is the one which has his ears to the ground and is aware of most items that come up on council agenda's - if he is he will delegate responses to his leadership team. When we hear the word 'report' - we think is is a made up document that means nothing but reports are official and not tailored to be presented to the general council by council offers to be true to the nature of the report. Generally Council staff will support the current local government in office but we must remember they are not politicians.

After saying all this I have a goal in 'looking forward' (PM Gillian Gillard's election quote as a short term current PM) for us is two pronged:

A) Mount Druitt/Blacktown Transport Community Forum - where members of the community who are passionate of their public trans issues (inclusive of S.o.B.S.), is formed to cover public transport issues with public users of buses, trains and also taxi's - The community will be well informed of these meetings - raise issues of concern, bring up new ideas to 'Make Mount Druitt/Blacktown Transport Go Forward!'

B) Mount Druitt/Blacktown Transport Council - where a delegation of up to 4 representatives(non-Blacktown City Councillors)meet on a monthly bases with key interest groups relation to transport and infrastructure around the area - issues raised from The Mount Druitt/Blacktown Transport Council will be discussed and referred to this Council for resolution: this council will not consist of any councillors from Blacktown City Council, Busways representatives, Westbus representatives, taxi drivers representative, representatives of City Rail West, also may consist of bus union representative and Black city Council Transport Officer's and any BCC Community Councilors as well. Once decisions are made they will be published to the local press and radio stations, so that the public is told of in every form also at the next. Funding of this may be met by Local Council with the assistance of NSW government.


Well I know I sound like a 'POLITICIAN' - I am not and don't want to be but I would like our Mount Druitt/Blacktown to be a better and efficient and more fast public transport area - would like to see less private cars left at home and people moving around not worried about late transport, safety issue , cost issues etc.

This is our Future! Community comes First!

Sound like my previous speech!

Transport Symposium Westfield Information Table

We thank Susan Day and the Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group (Of which we are associated with) for organising a table at Westfields on the 24th July 2010, for us to provide information regarding the Sydney Symposium of 7th August 2010.

We will be at the table between 10.30-12.30pm in Westfield to hand out information - provide feedback to the community, information of our group, WSPTUG and of the Transport Symposium. Our volunteers will be at hand to assist the community as we endeavour to get a feeling of the communities expectations of our group.

There will also be another information day on 27th July 2010 in Dawson Mall organised by Debbie Robertson for approximately the same time - any volunteers would be appreciated. - please contact us.

Will We Have Enough Buses For The Future?

As we ponder of today's issues regarding bus services around our Mount Druitt Community, I think we need to enter conversations to "Save Our Children's Future'.

What do mean by this - in simple terms all it really means that we have to ensure that there is enough provision for bus services in our are to meet the future demands of our community so that proper . most efficient transport services make a better society.More dependable services, more frequent services even 'Next time signs' asking on bus stops - solar powered, transport User Cards that are swiped and automatically on entering and departing buses , no cash needed, no fiddling for coins or even providing the bus drivers with $100 dollar notes to pay a small $2.00 fare.

Even quicker services with frequent express services only stopping at major suburban bus stops, 1 free trip awarded to the commuters after every hundred single trips. yearly transport days where the community is invited to an open information day with free joy rides for children, a show of new and old buses. discussions on how public transport can be further user by more members of the community by leaving their cars at home, less pollution and less individual travel cost, vehicle there are always comforting seats to ensure everyone travels with ease and enjoys public travel.

Holiday Children Are Bored Rock Throwing

On Wednesday and Thursday I have heard of 2 to three incidents where children around the age of 10 -14 are rocking rocking along Bulolo Drive in Whalan. It appears that they target buses and don't realise that that they are also targeting the potential loss of bus services if this continues.

I have spoken to Mount Druitt (who are probably understaffed) and they are going to look at patrolling the area more often -also heard of rock throwing on Belmore Road, Mount Druitt - It appears to be a favourite pastime and the children that do it in a certain area live somewhere else. If this pursues the I feel we are fighting a lost cause, loss of bus services, lost of Jobs for bus drivers , potential loss of jobs for some people in the area, potential increase in daily hardship, cost of living if more taxi's are caught if no bus services are around.

This has to be talked threefold: Increased police patrolling of cars around the area, marked and unmarked cars, also police education through all schools around regarding community safety and the alertness of the maximum criminal penalties for rock throwing so far is 5 years jail and place ' Rock throwing fine /criminal signs around the area that is affected by rock throwing around Mount Druitt.

I will refer to Jacqueline Donaldson - our Blacktown City Councillor to investigate these isssues.

Sydney Alliance - My Speech For Us

Well, all the effort put into the speech for the Sydney Alliance was incredible.

Firstly, to be asked was a great honor - actually I didn't realise how important this speech was for the public crowd that was listening. I am used to speaking to local community, local groups, local crowds and local individuals.

I thank the great team behind Sydney Alliance to make my journey of speaking on behalf of our group, exciting, enthusiastic, entertaining and made it sound it was real life. And it was!

I was only one of three main speakers besides the opening and closing speakers. I was more at ease than I thought I was going to be - I had a good coach - Amy Williams from WSPTUG. She had spent hours with me devising the speech, editing restructuring, retyping it, rewriting and timing me. In those hours we didn't have any disagreement. We obviously had our single opinions to then accepting or not using it. Colorful thoughts were present by Amy bu t I will say the blood and guts of the speech was written by me - she just helped me make it sound right. From my heart 'Thank you' Amy!

Here's the speech:

My name is John Svoboda and I from the group Save Our Bus Services. Our Group is made up of Mount Druitt community members who are fighting for the return of vital bus services that have been taken away from us by the government.

We are fighting for the community because we have heard stories of hardship; stories like older women taking over one hour see their doctors, no buses on weekends, no buses early in morning or late at nights, stories of community members spending more on taxis because there are no buses.

I became involved with this group because of the impact of the removal of bus services would have on my life- travelling to and from work is going to be difficult for me- but I also became involved because the heart of the community was being ripped out.

Today I will share my story with you:

Our story begins nine months ago whilst waiting for a bus outside of Whalan Shops. I began talking to Betty to find out what the local community group was doing about the deletion of bus services in the area. Betty told me she would find out.

Two days later, I was talking to Joan, another community member, she told me she had really stirred things up talking to Betty. Joan told me not to worry- that was a good thing to get people doing things around area!

We decided to place posters up on bus stops around the area advertising a petition day for the reintroduction of bus services that were being deleted.

On the day we met community members and the local press. Within 2 hours we have over 500 hundred signatures on our petition. People came and told us how badly they were impacted by the removal of bus services by the government right across Mount Druitt. What we had thought was only going to be one street affected by the bus removal turned out to be more!

Next day we decided to form our group - Save Our Bus Services. Our first action was to draw up another petition which included all of the suburbs affected by the deletion of bus services in Mt. Druitt. By the end we got over 3000 petitions.

During our time:-

- We have held three community meetings with big turnout every time.

- We have made a film of community members from different suburbs talking
about their transport issues

- We have put over three hundred of our stories on our blog - stories of hardship,

- We have been interviewed by Radio 2UE, Chanel Nine, have had many stories in our
local papers and have spoken at Blacktown City Council meetings - to be heard!

In February this year, 6 of us met with the Minister of Transport, handed him over 3000 petitions and told him of our community stories. Within 2 weeks of this meeting, one of our major services 755 was immediately re-instated partially. Also a second limited bus service has just been re-instated.

We have had success- even when some us didn't see any hope in our cause and thought we were fighting a losing battle with the government.

Our story has inspired other community members to do other things for our community - Blake a 14 year old boy from the area has redesigned the bus network system for Mount Druitt - he will be present this to Blacktown City Council within the next few weeks. We have worked for the return of proper services so that life for the community would be easier. The community told us their problems, we heard and we have fought, and we have won and are winning back more, and still have a long way to go, only for the community! Community comes first!'

Mount Druitt Needs A Transport Voice

We cover buses and services of buses in and out of Mount Druitt.

What we don't have is a public voice for the entire Mount Druitt public transport system - maybe we require our own transport Review Panel or process. The engine room of this panel would need to have local community voice ears to the community ground not be members of parliament or local government and may be limited to political party affiliations or if party affiliated not to wave the party flag as these transport Review panels or whatever it is called.

There should be regular meeting on a month to month bases to keep the NSW Government Honest in ensuring community recognition for the services that are needed on a day to day basis in each and every one of our lives and this transport can meet in each and every community to given a chance for the community to listen and speak of their concerns or provide positive feedback!!!!

Waste Of A Ticket!!!!!!

I have been personally purchasing a 'Myzone' 3 Bus and train weekly ticket since the introduction in mid April this year.

It provided me with a great benefit reduction of $1.00 per week as opposite to the previous costs for tickets and also the new benefit of getting bus services from either bus operaters from with Mount Druitt with greater ease. That is not fiddling around for loose change which costs essential time with bus driver sand creates drivers frustration.

Since the new bus time tables have been introduced 11/10/09 and my 755 bus services was being removed - I now had to walk slightly a little further to catch choice of 2 different bus services from from 2 different bus operaters. For me this meant a change in restructuring my personal life to get to and from work on time. You have to understand that living within the area for long standing period of time over 19 years and having a service cut from your community is like ripping a heart out from a human body and leaving it detached.

Now this 'Myzone' ticket has solved the problem as it is accepted by all bus operaters and train stations, reducing time factors in getting into buses and trains (although bus driver in Mount Druitt do not have scanners to scan the 'Myzone' tickets) The bus drivers have to use their manual eyesight to read the ticket(s) with doesn't have clear printing at times and the size of the print may not large enough to comprehend for poor eyesight readers.

My beef is that having the 'Myzone' ticket bus drivers want to offer you a printed free ticket as well - they are instructed too by the bus operaters. In reality it is a small ticket ( and I'll provide a copy to you next time I get one) but what concerns me: I don't need it and if there are minimum 500 other 'Myzone'3 weekly ticket holders multiply1 by 500 and then by 52 and you can then see the waste of paper, time and expense in producing a ticket showing zero amount paid.

Next SOBS Meeting 14th August 2010

With our Group meeting today there was a cxpouple new people attending our meeting: david barker the liberal Candidate for Chifley and Kathryn Williams from Mount DRuit Community Regeneration.

Wayne, one of our artsistic group members have devised new brochure on our group something that the group is proud of providing to the general community Being a young person he is revitalising our group with his ideas and looks like a future community leader in what ever role he does.

As I wasn't present at this meeting due to another commitment, I was advised what was discussed and that was our group will be having a table on 24th July promoting our group and mainly the Transport Symposium on 7th August 2010.

Our next meeting withh be on 14th August 2010 10 for 10.30am start at 'Rutherglen' 24 Anderson Avenue, Blackett - we will advise further as we go along!

Local Community: Some Give Up on Buses

I have spoken to two community members the last 2 days with some dismal results for the Transport Industry. Yes that right due to the 'inconsistent bus meets train commuters on time and not leave situation' is a constant problem in the area.

One young lady said to me when she gets her 'P's she will travel to work by private car and is shocked with the inconsistent bus drivers not allowing train commuters to reach the bus stop interchange - I have always privately and publicly suggested ]that there should be a two from Mount Druitt train station to the bus operaters or directly to the bus drivers! Apparently it is a lot of red tape to do this I have heard over 10 years ago!

I think The NSW ministry of transport don't like this idea!

The 2nd lost customer is a gentlemen who had reconfirmed to me that it takes him 40 minutes to get to Mount Druitt from Oakhurst by bus - he has given up on buses and provided complaints to the Minister of transport. He now drives his car to work stating he will never get a bus again.

Are not we to promote better and improved services! Why don't we do this?Why are people recognised for the service they get - if we have adequate services that cater the community needs then that should be done - not making it harder for the community - Sometimes we could look at express bus services where the patronage is high! Oh the bus servicve he was complaining about was 754!

Agenda And Details of Sydney Alliance Listening Forum 11/7/10

here is the Agenda for the 'Listening' meeting nd details pertaining to the Sydney alliance itself. Feel free to ask their assistance with your local community issues.

Agenda For Western Sydney Transport Symposium on 7th August 2010

This is the agenda given to myself for the transport Symposium on 7th August 2010. You can then see how trans infrstructure planning now is extremely important for the future. Should we go backwards in transport planning our future children and their children may not be enjoying public transport life like we do.

Some of these issues are intriguing and can be the bases of future planning. I have some ideas on transport planning but I'm not going to be a genius on this issue, I think that if we all pull our heads together we will get what we want. That's one of the reasons our group has succeeded.

We need to look at what is around us, one day there will be no fuel to run all vehicles - then what energy source do we look at. We need to look at private trans wastage against an efficient, well patronised public natural gas=run buses and train services, that promote less use of private transport. About 15 years ago I was thinking of carpooling but I think bus pooling could be good. That is, bus operaters knowing in advance when and where will be waiting for bus services in convenience community places.

Take for example a family with 2-3 cars, there is the waste factor with 3 cars heading to around about the same place may have only one person in each vehicle heading to same destination. If there is a bus pool where there is no wasting of time people paying for fare you pay one amount and that does you for 10 trips. So anyone entering or leaving bus is only short time. Just swipe your plastic bus ticket on the machine and then the fare will be deducted and when you leave the bus you aloe swipe it and it will provide your self with a receipt for the correct journey. All payments are not to the bus driver and paid directly to newsagents or suppliers of bus transport tickets.

The same process can be made with Train tickets!!!

Anyway going ahead see you there!!!!!

Sydney Alliance Meeting 11/7/2010

It appears we as a group have made a hit with 'Sydney Alliance" with the success of our group.

Not many lobby groups around Mount Druitt have had success and people (even today) are scratching heads wonder how the hell we won back services? They all thought it was improbable and even imposable for us to win for the community - for the community to win back bus services taken away.

Nearly nine months on - we haven't given up and we will not give up Community comes first!

On behalf of Western Sydney Public Transport users Group we have asked to speak about our successful true story. A story that has sent shock waves right thought the community. A story that has altered people's lives : travelling to shops, travelling to visit doctors , travelling to and from work, visiting friends or family or even going to and from school. A story that no one would expect the NSW Government to beckon down and the community wins back what was taken away!

So we will present our story on Sunday 11th July 2010, 2pm at Bowman Hall, Blacktown registration time is 1.30pm. Let's hope all community members attend it and enjoy it!

Support From Taxi Driver Regarding Our Loss Of Bus Services

Today, I had to catch a taxi for e rehearsal of my speech on behalf of our group at Bowman Hall, Blacktown, today.

As I don't normally catch taxis and it was a pleasant relaxing drive to get there . The taxi driver drove within the normal speed and was very complimentary on what I was doing for the community and towards our group - he agreed that bus services should not be removed or terminated from suburbs - he had heard of hardship stories of the are and felt for the community - he actually lives around the area.

Congratulations From Mayor of Hawkesbury

Today, I have received an e-mail from Bart Bassett, Mayor of Hawkesbury, with some response feedback:

"Congratulations. You and your group have done a fantastic job!'

This is great but weird as we are getting support from an outside Mayor - I mean we don't seem to have any support for our group from our own Local mayor of Blacktown - Even our Deputy mayor as well. We seem to be getting more outside support than inside is this unusual? I'm sure this has happened before - somewhere else.

I feel our group is alienated from local government members of the Blacktown City Council - they don't call us, speak to us or even offer help. It seems they do not support their own community for important issues! Their turn will come back to them one day!

Great Feedback From NSW Members of Parliament

Today I have responses from the Leader of the N.S.W. Opposition Transport spokesperson Gladys Berejikllian quoting the following:
'Well done to John and all the team!'

Also from N.S.W. Leader of the Opposition, Barry O'Farrell he has commented as follows:
'Well done on successfully having the re-introduction of the Gasmata Crescent Service in Whalan.'

it appears that we haven't had any further response from N.S.W. Government Members : local or Ministers or premier as yet but as i have said before the real thanks doesn't go to me is is duly to the entire community that needed back was was taken away! A win for the community. Community comes first!