We Are Pleased To announce An Inniative To Reduce Youths Walking Around Streets

Midnight Baskett is looking at kicking off in Mount Druitt on 16th November 2010 at Emerton Leisure Centre, Emerton 7-9pm for more info contact John Dacey 98352970 or 0409747412 or john@mtdruittcommunityministry.org.au

We're Getting More Ideas To Assist Rock Throwers to Not Rock-Throw

At the Bidwill festival, last weekend. one community lady advised us of a suggestion that there should always be undercover police officers siting close to the bus drivers on every trip.

Again great idea that I would like implemented - as this will stop threats and potential violence to drivers or other passengers. If we look at affordability many decades ago the New South Wales government was paying for ticket conductors on buses - they weren't security guards - they made sure commuters got buses or trams - they ensured people were paying fares and some of them even made the public happy with morning laughs and 'Good evening' evenings.

The other idea if group our group idol Joan - a national/state advertising campaign to deter rock throwing through all forms of media: radio, television and the the press. Well campaigned - this would be well money spent!

Again, this is a great idea , yet it would need great financial support to make it! At least these are ideas that have meanings and are educational. If the parents of the children had rocks thrown on them and were hurt - how would they feel!

Back in my young days I remember being spoilt by a conductress 'Aunty Joan" as she was 'Aunty Joan' to everyone. When she knew I was getting the double-decker bus - that was open ended - she always had a piece of fresh fruit for me - I had to eat to keep healthy. Well at least I have been eating and keep that part of it!

A Confessed Private Car Driver Converted To Public Buses!

This evening there was a man that hopped on the 755 bus and said, 'This is the first time I ever got a bus and I have never realised that is cheaper than a driving a privately used car!'

Obviously he was excited and the thought went into my mind 'A converted public transport user' this is unheard of , this is great news! How many more transport users can we convert from private car users to public transport users - though the end result maybe a cheaper long term cost to the community. This keeps more public transport running.

Bidwill Festival Was Fair

We have a small win for us again at Bidwill were bus commuters had completed a survey that we will be presenting the outcome of these surveys at the Blacktown Transport Forum on 26/10/10. In fact I was asked to give a 2 minute speech regarding our group while Shane assist me showing the leaflets and brochures we have.

In saying this I not that our Mayor of Blacktown City Council, (although he remains very quiet with us) shares the same point or two than me on rock throwing issues - except for a few of them - that is he says it is hard getting the message across to the young on not doing the rock throwing and we both agree it is an educational program that needs to be directed to the children, and their parnets and/or guardians. This is where our views drift off, after this

I believe if we have something like a community safety meeting then if we can teach one parent and or even one child not to rock throw - we have won - this one or two will talk to others around the community and then 'word of mouth moves on and on'.

Maybe I am new to this but I fell I have something more to pay back to the community, a time of hearing and listening and then working things out for the better of the community. Let's give the community a chance as we don't want our essential bus services taken away because of this!

Charlie, I respect as an elder in politics.he has been there - he has done that - but we need the community to be there and do that and that is where the community's strength are! A lot of community people are talking about rock throwing, a lot of people I have spoken too have been affected - their lives changes but do the rock throwers lives change!

More Suggestions For Safer Services

Today community members I speak to on a day to da basis are all brain storming ideas to provide better protection and safer driving for bus drivers. I personally haven't thrown them out the door or window, I treat them each one as a reputable suggestion - I suppose on a larger broadspect we need to lobby the NSW Government for some important changes.

Each recommendation I would look at: weighing both the positives and negatives for all stake holders and finally decide to use the ones that will be used primarily to bring the best result for the good of the community.

One of the suggestions provided was that the bus operaters have under cover police officers sit behind bus drivers on each trip to be the witness to the rock throwing - thus providing more proof to the courts of the actual incident being witnessed. The under police officer would be more advantaged to provide a better description to catch these criminals.

A Correctional Officer that I have spoken too has advised me that the people that are incarcerated that come from our area do not have much self-esteem, due to one or all of the following factors: being drug related, having little or no parental proper guidance and/or back have personal issues that relate to a mental disorder or some type of depression.

So, you can decide for yourself which of these would be best to be used to make the community safer. Then you can provide feedback to ourselves.

You can also refer to Blog dated on 27/8/10 Community Problem Solving ' Rock Throwers' and add these ideas to the list!

We're Off To The Bidwill Community Festival

Well just as we thought we had finished one festival we have been invited to another festival. Bidwill is a community based festival and should be a lot of fun.

It will be start as from 9am this Saturday 18th September 2010. Once I get more information, we will advise you! Hope to see you there!

Mount Druitt Festival Was Great!

We had a very warm reception from the community with our stall that as provided to us by the Blacktown City Council. On behalf of our group, I would like to thank Robyn Scott (Event Manager), from Blacktown Council to provide her total assistance in accepting our late entry.

Next year we will plan ahead and lodge our application in time. At this years festival we have Business cards with information regarding rock throwing and complaints for transport information. We even provided for vision impaired community members and also provided a brochure with our information.

At the end of the day we have so far complete a survey of fifteen community members of the community taken from all over the community. A summary of feedback so far:

• Not enough bus services for people with disabilities (2)*
• All drivers are friendly/nice/polite (3)
• 'Myzone' tickets are great
• More security /patrolling around undercharge (2)
• Upset of rock throwers (4) leaving area due to rock throwing (1)
• If miss bus at Doonside 45 minutes walk to train station
• More buses required
• Very well serviced
• Wants to know why bus services in the afternoon are not the same as the mornings
• Divert 780 bus along 674 bus route
• More security and better understandable timetable
• Buses to wait for you a bit longer
• More bus stops - along Chestnut Crescent, Bidwill
• Sunday services not good - increased to 20 minutes services
• Buses not on time
• require more 755 bus services
• Seats on buses have holes, windows scratches

These carry a wide area of concern . Community members are not just focused on one issue there are many issues we need to tackle and help them get. That's why we are here for them.

*Bracketed numbers indicated that there was more than one that was concerned of this issue.

Stupid Stupid Rock Throwers Disrupt Bus Services For The Community Again!

Hey, I was so shocked tonight when it happened to me, when a Westbus 780 bus service had been diverted from going down to Luxford Road Whalan to Carlisle Road and then Woodstock Streets Hebersham, to continue on in their journey.

It was no more than a week ago I had told the local press of what I thought we could do and you would think that it would calm the situation down. Their is a small problem that comes out of this and that is that these criminals (although they may be frustrated) are stupid plain stupid and do not realise the repercussions that can happen from this. I hope when they get old they don't suffer from rock throwing on bus services and are deprived of bus services.

What was the real shock was that a lady I know from Whalan was totally disillusioned when she didn't know how to get home - no 755 bus service no 780 bus service and the 758 that was at the interchange was not good for her - I did offer to assist her with walking with her from Woodstock Road down to Bulolo Drive - she was confused and didn't know what to do!

Joan (our group idol) has suggested that we look at a statewide/national campaign against rock throwing - full on advertising on T.V. and radio's - we will discuss this at our next meeting.

We Made It! We're At The Mount Druitt Festival

Well just when you think every goes bad for you - the sun shines!

We were told on Tuesday that we were not able to apply for a stall due to closing dates for this - all of a sudden (some up there in the sky somewhere) gave us the opportunity to hold our stall at Mount Druitt Festival on 11th September 2010. A window of opportunity. A chance to get our group across the community and make them understand we are still here for them!

We thank Blacktown City Council for allowing this to do this as well at the people that pulled out and didn't want that particular stall.

Let's hope you come to our stall and enjoy it from 9am - 4pm Dawson Mall!

It Appears We Missed Closing Date for Mount Druitt Festival

I have been informed by Deb that we have missed out on getting a stall at the Mount Druitt Festival for 11th September 2010.

We will try some other way to be at the Mount Druitt Festival hopefully. It appears we missed the extended closing date. I will try to speak to Blacktown City Council tomorrow to see if they would like to change their mind! I mean it would be demeaning to knock back a group like ours.

I will be making every effort I can to see if there is a window of opportunity as we wouldn't want to create bad press about this. We may the thorn in the side of Members of NSW Parliament and local politicians - we are the budding that sprouts from a rose bush to perfume the air with pleasant scenting aromas and colours that are clearly distinct from others may make our true colours come out, true!

We stand up for the community to be counted and represent the community with bus issues which is a forever issue within our community. We need correct decisions to be made from within the community for the community to ensure are buses are moving.

Our Group Is Looking To Hold A Stall At The Mount Druitt Festival

Here we are 11 months since our group started & here we are trying to organise a stall for the mount Druitt festival on the 1tth September 2010, to be held at Dawson Mall.

I think of lot of politicians thought our group would not have massed it so far! I think that once something starts and it is a contentious issue - it may remain for a long time. It is hard to rid what in now formalised. Now we are completely formed with numbers in arm. We'll keep you informed once we have further words!

How Can We Deal With 'Rock Throwers'?

For me, I feel I am not thinking positively, as a person holding a responsable community position: that has been and is passionate of increasing, maintaining and retaining important bus services within Mount Druitt suburbs, in relation to 'rock throwers'.

I am thinking of punishment, if the 'rock thrower' is caught but yet who is punished if someone is seriously hurt or dies from this kind of incident. Yet, what I need to do as well as others is to think of reasons: why do young people rock throw to cause harm? Is it just a show and tell also be proud? Shouldn't we find out what causes people to do this? What can we do to prevent young people doing these things? How can local, state and federal governments assist these young people as well to prevent 'rock throwing'?

I think of why first and then think of how it can be prevented???

Helpful Drivers - They Do Have a Heart!

A lovely elderly lady train commuter was struggling to get on the train at Mount Druitt train this morning so as I almost always do, I lifted her shoulder so that she was able to get on the train.

As I later discovered she worked on the London buses during the 2nd World war collecting fares and found that people would blame her for late buses not the bus driver.

Her heartfelt true story was that one day she had blood pouring from her lower leg and when she was getting off the bus - the bus driver on Carlisle Avenue asked her where she lived and he told her to get back on the bus he will drop her directly opposite her house - not where a bus stop was. He did this and she was so relieved going home she hadn't had this type of generosity kind service before. Deep down inside bus drivers have hearts like us - keep up the good work bus drivers as this lady was 85 years of age. And she had a great story to tell!

I Hear What people Say!

Tonight a lady whom lives in Tregear has issues with both Buses and Trains - that is catching the slow train to Mount Druitt as misses the fast train that apparently only runs hourly at night.

Whilst missing the train - she also missed by approximately 7 minutes the 780 bus connection, she feels it is fair what happens to her - i have advised her to contact 131500 to voice her disapproval.


Her main issue was that are few and far between bus services at night - she feels they should be running every fifteen minutes. Mind you having more efficient bus services - once the community would be aware of this more of the community would catch this bus services and leave the car at home!. She then realised that there are a lack of bus services early in weekday mornings and nights, as well as weekend issues as well. Same story has been heard everywhere!!!!!

More Irate Bus Commuters

Boy did I cop an ear blasting from a lady that was very relaxed and very composite, prior to handing her a flyer for the Western Sydney Transport Symposium.

She wasn't upset with me she was upset that it took her 2 hours to get from Tregear to Penrith last Sunday, she said it is longer than getting from the Blue Mountains to Penrith. Apparently with Sunday services her bus went early to Penrith thus she had to wait an hour for next bus service - she was told - then went to Mount Druitt via another bus to catch the other bus at St. Marys (by train) and missed then the same bus connection.

So here we are another person not happy with the bus changes that were implemented by the NSW Government for bus changes within Group 1 area!!!!!

What more can we ask for?

More People Waiting And Waiting For Bus Services

A young nice man I spoke to on the 780 bus stop was going to wait 40 minutes for the next Westbus 780 bus service at 6.52pm - he used to get Busways 755 but this doesn't run on this time of a Sunday night anymore and this young man was going to Whalan, Luxford Road.

I managed to get Busways 758 at 6.32pm but felt for the young man who waited more than 30 minutes. What can we ask of the new the NSW Transport Minister, Mr John Robertson other than to restore weekend services so that the peoples lives in the west are catered for. Surely more efficient services can create the community to change heart and maybe leave their cars at home and take public transport to all of Sydney's destinations. So help this young nice man to not wait long for bus services create an atmosphere of trust with the NSW Government, a feeling of belief on a much needed upgrade of vital bus services for the betterment of our community!

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!

131500 - It Works!

In reference to our story of 17th June this month - where bus drivers nearly miss bus stops! Nick who I speak to on the bus almost everyday has advised he was very surprised that after contacting 131500 that the transport line actually did something to assist him and other commuters on his bus stop. What was it you ask?

The bus drivers use high beam lights to have a better view of commuters waiting on the bus stops now. at 6.10am in the morning it is still dark while the sun is rising. Problem solved! Well done Mick and Transport line!

So if you have a problem with transport ring 131500!!!! and get and incident number, record it for keeps!

Sydney Alliance - Invitation To Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs

We have been invited throught the Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group to provide a 3 minute speech regarding the success of our group!

Whilst I have spoken under 3 minutes in 3 Blacktown Council Meetings and Debbie has spoken once quite passionately.This is my experience - when it was first requested from us I said don't ask me I can talk more than 3 minutes!

Fun aside, I have prepared the speech and found it hard to condense all what has happened in such short time. Reading our stories would prove this to be true but with the help from Amy at Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group i reach there and speak in front of 400 or more people at Bowman Hall, Blacktown on the 11th July 2010 between 1.30-3.30pm.

Check their website, as they are a new group supported by community groups , unions and churches - if you have time we suggest you check there website and see if you want to go there - entry is free:
www.sydneyalliance.org.au

Interesting Facts: Group One Bus Services

In Group 1 with a total population of 446,528 - the total population living within 400 metres of bus stop is 332,298 approximately 74 percent as a percentage of population. The lowest percentage within other ares of population is 56 percent and highest 99 percent, with other groups around Sydney.

With this in mind we can see that Western Sydney has a population of approximately more than 25 percent that suffer to reach bus stops. This confirms what we have been saying for a long time - people have been taking longer to walk to get to to bus stops and this was before bus services were introduced towards the end of last year.

Source: NSWTI Transport Data Centre 2009 - Note: bus stops with services at least every 70 minutes.