Gladys Berejiklian med rel: NSW Government delivers more than 9,000 extra weekly public transport services

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today said the NSW Government has delivered more than 9,000 extra weekly public transport services since March 2011, including more than 5,600 train, bus and ferry services in Western Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the NSW Government came to office more than three years ago and found a public transport system left in ruins by Labor.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has now provided more than 9,000 extra weekly public transport services to customers, including almost 100 extra weekly bus services that began operating in Sydney’s west and north west this month.

“This is what happens when a hardworking Government listens to customers, sets out a proper transport plan and then delivers on that plan.”

Since March 2011, the NSW Government has delivered 9,000 extra weekly public transport services across the state including:
· 7,800 extra bus, 1,190 extra train, 220 extra ferry services

· 4,800 more bus, 734 more train and 84 more ferry services in Western Sydney

“New services are carefully planned by looking at travel patterns, so customers are getting services when and where they need them,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“And there are more services to come, we can promise that.”

The 98 extra weekly services which began in the west and north west this month include 54 of the popular 610X/M61 routes between Castle Hill and the Sydney CBD across weekdays and weekends. There are 15 million customer journeys on buses annually in the north west, and the NSW Government is working to meet this demand.

“We’re also increasing connectivity within Western Sydney, with extra services on route 711 between Parramatta and Blacktown starting last week.”

Other significant improvements for customers since March 2011 include the rollout of 78 brand new air-conditioned Waratah trains, real-time mobile phone apps for trains and buses, and improved security with the introduction of police on public transport.

“There have also been more than 500,000 Opal cards issued as the rollout of Opal continues, and every day more customers are enjoying cheaper fares, travel incentives and rewards, and the end to queuing for tickets.”

Highlights of the 9,000 extra weekly services introduced since March 2011 include:

· 4,800 extra bus services per week for Western Sydney

· 500 extra weekly bus services in the Inner West,

· 1,680 extra weekly bus services for the North Shore

· 315 extra weekly bus services for the Hurstville and Sutherland region

· An increase in bus services in outer metropolitan areas, with 290 extra services a week in the Illawarra and 150 in Newcastle and the Hunter
· 220 extra weekly train services on the T5 Cumberland Line, increasing connectivity in Western Sydney by providing direct trains between Liverpool, Cabramatta, Fairfield, Parramatta and Blacktown

· 214 extra weekly train services on the T1 Western Line, including 45 in peak times, giving Western Sydney customers more options to catch a train to the Sydney CBD or other stations to connect with suburban and intercity trains

· 182 extra weekly train services between Redfern and the City Circle, increasing connectivity in the Sydney CBD

· restoration of 140 off-peak lower North Shore ferry services per week which were cut by the previous government

· 55 extra weekly services across the ferry network which were added in the new timetable in October last year

· 25 new weekly Parramatta River ferry services