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!

Response From Allan Shearan - from 29/4/10 and 14/4/10

It is pleasing that we have heard from Allan Shearan and regrading our groups recognition for what wee have done to return buses within the Mount Druitt Community. It is pleasing that he reflects on 'The Private Members Statement' of the NSW Government for our group, helping him bring the bus issue to the attention of the Minister'.

I think we need to move forward here as have not seeked recognition of myself only of our group and our group's efforts to support each community to return buses to a natural order.

Mr Shearan looks forward to an ongoing fruitful relationship with us and we also wish the same with him, as we seem to be working for the same cause, now.

Allan Shearn, MP For Londonderry No Mention Of Our Grroup And its Achievements On 'Community News April 2010'

I an disappointed that Allan Shearan has sent out his glossy magazine and in six pages deliberately doesn't mention our groups fighting for returned bus services.

It appears he has cold shoulders regarding our group still. It would be nice to be recognised by our local State MP. Yet I feel I have done nothing wring and said nothing wrong to have this happen. It is for me only to speak on and behalf of our community and be part of a great team that doesn't have any quarrels and gets on with the job.

I have written to Mr Shearan for an explanation of our group from omission from his news letter and will wait for his response.

We Are Asking The Minister Of Transport And Roads For Follow Up Questions!

We have today request a progress report on the following:
Pending 674 Gasmata Crescent Bus service, Pending Sedghman Crescent extension to 755 bus route and whether there will be reduction of other services around Mount Druitt now this bus service of 755 has been introduced?

Although one patron has asked Busways Blacktown regarding the 758 service - they were informed this service will remain. Yet we require official confirmation!

We will let you know the progress report when it comes!

Allan Shearan Has Just Come Out Of The Dark Woods - Holding Roses - 'NSW Government Rethinking Sydney Transport Issue'

Today we provide a story that was in the St Marys- Mt Druitt Star - regarding the growth of transport that is required in Mount Druitt - Mr Allan Shearan ( NSW Member for Londonderry) obviously acknowledges that the Mount Druitt was let down with the new bus services that was introduced , last year on 11/10/2009 - which he was aware of.

This all happened because of our group 'Save Our Bus Services', Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs' taking a stand for the Community, growing in numbers with group representatives and general support from all community members within and around Mount Druitt, businesses that have been suffering. WE as a group did not have any direct assistance from any local State Members from within our Mount Druitt area.

Now Allan is coming to give some good news but this good news is what the community wanted before! After being in the dark woods not directly speaking to our group since mid November 2009, we have been fighting a lonely battle - Other Council's and State members have been as siting their own community groups!


We provide the story from the ST Marys- Mt Druitt Star:

Transport rethink labelled sensible

BY NICK SOON
16 Feb, 2010 09:40 AM

LOCAL MPs have backed Premier Kristina Keneally's call to the treasury and transport departments to study closely the recommendations of the recently released independent inquiry into Sydney's public transport system.

Londonderry MP Allan Shearan and Blacktown MP Paul Gibson said it made good sense to consider all suggestions in the comprehensive report released last week.

The independent inquiry headed by the state's former rail and roads chief Ron Christie calls on the Government to focus on heavy rail to the north-west and light rail in the city instead of its controversial $5.3 billion CBD Metro.

It recommends the Government spend $36 billion on capital investment in new rail, light rail and buses and just implement one metro plan over 30 years.

Mr Shearan supported its recommendation for the establishment of a bus rapid transitway similar to the Parramatta-Liverpool T-Way, between Penrith and Campbelltown via the Northern Road and Leppington and to Mt Druitt via Mamre Road.

``As Mt Druitt becomes more built up its residents deserve a level of services similar to those available in the inner city,'' Mr Shearan said.

``However, the recommendations are not new as this was also recommended in the State Government's recent Employment Land report.

``With the opening of Employment Land in Western Sydney there will be a heavy demand for services from people working in newly opened industrial areas.''

Mr Shearan said the inquiry's recommendations would support the NSW Public Transport Report to be released by the Premier soon.


Also is the story from The SYdney MOrning Herald regarding the Premiers announcement regarding this transport inquiry:

Keneally orders transport rethink LOUISE HALL AND MATTHEW MOORE
February 15, 2010

The Premier has told the treasury and transport departments to study the recommendations of the independent inquiry into Sydney's public transport, as she leaves the door open to delaying the metro network in favour of expanding heavy rail.

Kristina Keneally gave the strongest indication yet that the $5.3 billion CBD Metro could be sidelined to focus on heavy rail to the north-west and light rail in the city in her government's upcoming transport blueprint.

The inquiry, headed by the state's former rail and roads boss Ron Christie, and commissioned by the Herald, recommends the return of trams to Sydney's central business district within four to five years.

It says extending the light rail network that runs through Chinatown would remove large numbers of buses and ''completely transform'' bus-choked George Street. Sections of the street would be made car free.

In the report released over the weekend, Mr Christie says a metro would jeopardise the expansion of heavy rail through the CBD and across the harbour.

He argues that instead of creating an entirely new public transport system, the government should spend $36 billion on capital investment in new rail, light rail, buses and just one metro over 30 years.

The government has long argued that a metro from Central to Pyrmont or Rozelle is the core of a future Sydney-wide single-deck underground system.

However, when questioned yesterday, Ms Keneally refused to commit to the metro, at least in the short-term.

''We are looking at a range of options,'' she said. ''Mr Christie's report recommends that the metro be deferred until after 2020. That's his recommendation and we've had the opportunity to be briefed on his plan and I'm very grateful for that.''

The 450-page Christie report, produced by a team of transport and infrastructure experts, supports the proposed West Metro but only between Westmead and Barangaroo, not to Pyrmont and Rozelle. Critically, the West Metro would be deferred for at least 10 years and not use a corridor under Pitt Street reserved for CityRail.

Ms Keneally said she wanted to sit down with Mr Christie to learn how the recommendations could be incorporated into the government's transport and land use blueprint, to be released this month.

''We read it with great interest and I will be asking both treasury and transport to evaluate the inquiry's plan and provide us with their views and feedback on it,'' Ms Keneally said.

However, she was cautious about the funding mechanisms suggested, such as a one-off increase in fares, public transport levies on households, businesses and car parking spaces and a congestion charge.

''It does seem to rely on two assumptions - anywhere between $20 billion and $50 billion in new taxes and charges and $15 billion in new Commonwealth funding.''

Strong support for the reintroduction of trams comes amid signs the government's long-held opposition to light rail in the CBD is softening. The Herald revealed last week the Premier may soon endorse the move championed for years by the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, and the University of Technology academic Dr Garry Glazebrook.

If Government Buses were here!

Yes, I have lived in communities outside of Mount Druitt, many years ago, where there was always a reliable frequent bus service continually travelling to the city. Bus drivers were polite and in the old days conductresses were even politer.

Sometimes I used to get special treatment, I remember Joan, a conductress always had an apple for me to eat on the way to school when she picked myself up on an old open ended dounle-decker bus at 'Five Ways' Paddington NSW. Yes my father was most of the time driving the bus, when he has alive.

People used to be friendly, bus drivers were always friendly, young people gave up their seat with no questions asked for older or disable people. Buses used to be jam-packed.

Now-a-days people are upset due to the fast rat race life we live. Bus drivers have no time to talk, little time to waste, yet customers will come in with incorrect change not counting money before they enter the bus, some smokers with blow fumes to complete strangers non-smoking face deliberately,they might even get on the wrong bus, they might bring bags and bags and bags of shopping and they might even have a $100 dollar not to pay a $3.00 fare.

But if Government buses were here the buses would be more frequent, they would not remove long standing services, the bus drivers would be trained to be friendly, kind and considerate. There might even be more commuters as the word would spread that there are friendly and happy drivers taking us to all places. Buses going to streets where community members will be happier than they are today. There would be more services on time.Politicians will actually assist the community and not take away services without proper consultation directly with the local micro community, mention of what services will be affected in their so often magazine - provide proper feedback to the community don't hide what you know!Paradise!

So maybe we need a change - a change to rid the private buses if we don't get what we need to have or want! a radical change maybe for the better. Our government is subsidising the privately run bus operaters - so they can decide to cut the heart of bus routes from the community and thus doing so quietly they were hoping no noise from us in Mount Druitt!

Is Today Save Our Bus Services Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs Day?

Today is hopefully going to be our day and this year in "Year of Save Our Bus Services Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs'!

Personally I wish all our great representatives a great day with meeting with Minister of Transport and Infrastructure the Hon. David Campbell. They will be fighting for all bus flags around Mount Druitt. I am proud of each one of them and also each one of you that didn't make it to see him. What I'd like to say is for each one of our representatives going to see The Minister today they each would be representing thousands of community members that get the buses. So When the Minister says that for every person that is affected there are 7 people that aren't - where does he get this figure from - has this been made up by the bus operaters whom provide the service routes to the Ministry of Transport or is he advising that of areas that haven't been affected outside of mount Mount Druitt. I would say that since the bus services have been introduced at least 60 percent of patrons are affected!

I wished I could have made it but I have made a DVD presentation for Mr Campbell - So somehow I will be there!



We hope we can mark this day as a special day in our future history.

More Support From Greens Transport Spokesperson For 'Save Our Bus Services, Mount Druitt And Surrounding Suburbs'

We have received an e-mail from Lee Rhiannon NSW Greens MP and Transport Spokesperson, she writes 'Congratulation to us on our work wish us all the best for the meeting with the Transport Minister and for getting better transport services for the area.'

She also writes, 'Please let me know if my office can help in any way with your campaign. When Parliament resumes on February 23 we are in a position to ask questions of Ministers, put in questions on notice and motions to help.'

We are pleased that there are concerned Members of NSW Parliament whom are concerned for us and offering great support for what we done and how we got here. I remember when one person said, 'You are wrong in what we are doing?' I have never thought that we were wrong at all and knew that one day we would be representing the community without support from many local aldermen and direct support from local state members!

NSW State Government Notified

In such a short time our Save Our Bus Services Group has achieved the recoginition of community members drastically affected by the delection of servcies from great communities around Mount Druitt - please find details that is obtaineable from the NSW Government hansard . Both sides of government are showing their support!

(Notice given 10 November 2009)

Mr R.C. WILLIAMS to move—

That this House:

(1) Notes that 60 to 70 residents attended a community meeting at Whalan Community Centre on Saturday 8 November 2009, who have had their bus services such as the 755,766 and 782cancelled.

(2) Commends the work by the ‘Save Our Buses’ organisation that arranged the meeting and haslobbied for the reinstatement of these vital bus services.

(3) Condemns the Government for cancelling the 755, 766 and 782 bus services in areas such asWhalan, Mt Druitt and St Marys.

(4) Calls on the Government to immediately reinstate these and other bus services across WesternSydney that have been cancelled, which are affecting the most vulnerable members of our society,such as the elderly, disabled people and school children.


LONDONDERRY ELECTORATE BUS SERVICES

Mr ALLAN SHEARAN (Londonderry) [12.07 p.m.]:

All members will be well aware of the impact of changes in our communities. People generally do not like change, especially if they feel they are losing a long-term advantage. Such is the case when changes are made to timetables. Over the last month we have seen in Londonderry the introduction of new timetable for our buses. However, there have been some difficulties. One of the problems with any changes is that those who draft the changes are not always fully aware of the consequences upon the community. They draft the changes on paper, but it is not until the changes are implemented that the full impact becomes apparent.Such was the case in relation to two areas in my electorate, the north St Marys area and the Whalan area. What was particularly disappointing, despite the best of intentions, is that it appears the 12-month consultation process was not as effective in certain areas as one would want. While I am advised that in Region One significant changes were made to more than 16 proposals because of community feedback, in some areas there was confusion about the process or simply notices of the proposed changes were misplaced. Notwithstanding,

I will be forever grateful for the prompt action taken by the Minister for Transport, the Hon. David Campbell, and his staff upon their being informed of some of the problems faced by my constituents.Coincidentally, the Minister had visited my electorate in the first week of October, which gave me the opportunity to personally discuss with him the main concerns in Londonderry. For example, residents who used to catch the Westbus 782 service had raised the issue that buses would no longer travel along local streets in North St Marys, making it more difficult for them to access St Marys shops and railway station. Leading the call was Ken Moriarty and his wife Lorna. They certainly left no question as to what they thought of the timetable and in a very short time were able to gather a petition illustrating the effect of the changes. In response, I was able to show the Minister the extra distances that residents, many of them elderly, would have to walk to gain access to the bus services. After meetings with Ken and Lorna, I was later able to announce that the Minister had directed Busways to reinstate a service along Kurrajong Road and Maple Road, St Marys.In relation to the bus services in Whalan, I was approached by Mr John Svoboda on behalf of Save Our Bus Services. Initially the group raised concerns about the discontinuance of buses along Bulolo Drive in Whalan. I raised this matter with the Minister, and I am happy to say that after explaining the impact on residents in the area the Minister directed Westbus to bring back services to Bulolo Drive. I feel it is important to acknowledge the work of the members of Save Our Bus Services and other residents.

In this regard Minister Campbell listened to the concerns raised by the local community, and responded quickly and appropriately.<14>Notwithstanding, a further community meeting was arranged by SOBS last Saturday morning when about 50 residents attended and expressed concerns about other impacts of the timetable. Both the member for Mount Druitt Mr Richard Amery and I attended. In respect to the Londonderry electorate one of the main concerns raised was the discontinuance of bus services along Gasmatta Crescent, Whalan. Over the past few weeks the issue of Gasmatta Crescent has become in my mind and that of my constituents in the area a very valid concern. The area is home to a large number of elderly residents who in many instances have resided in the area for more than 20 years.

A boast of the transport providers is that no person would be more than 400 metres from access to bus services. However, upon investigation it became very apparent that this was not the case in relation to residents who used to get their bus services in Gasmatta Crescent. I personally checked the distance from one of these residents and it was over 700 metres just to walk to the main road, that is Luxford Road, from where they now have to catch their bus. During the meeting, as one can imagine, there was a lot of emotion and passion about the difficulties they now face. For instance, Peter told me he now has to walk three-quarters of a mile to get his bus service which was easily accessible for the past 40 years since he moved to the area; Ninette asked why did the Department of Housing build units for the elderly, who now find they have to walk some distance to get their buses; Mal simply asked why; Helen stated that she now has no transport to get to the doctor for her monthly appointments; Bev mentioned that it is hard for her to walk to Luxford Road and to cross the busy four-lane road; and Mary summarised her overall concerns, as follows:
Many other elderly people like ourselves, who have had the convenience of the bus service in Gasmatta Crescent. Now because the service has been taken away we have to endure a very uncomfortable long walk, plus the very real danger of crossing Luxford Road to catch a bus. Gasmatta is a loop road turns off Luxford Road and rejoins Luxford. So why in the wild world would you take the service away? These were just a few of the comments made on the day and I gave an assurance to the meeting I would raise these matters in Parliament, hence my private member's statement today. I have also made personal approaches to the Minister for Transport asking him to give this matter his close consideration. People like Ken and Lorna Moriaty and John Svoboda and members of Save Our Bus Services do not normally get too upset about matters but when services are detrimentally affected which impact upon them and their neighbours they look for action. In this regard I want to place on record my appreciation for their thankless efforts. I also want to reiterate my appreciation to the Minister and his staff and trust that their deliberations on this remaining issue of Gassmatta Crescent is very carefully examined.