Greens call for frequent “all-stop” trains

NSW MP and Transport Spokesperson Cate Faehrmann visited Wollongong today and joined Greens candidates Jamie Dixon for Shellharbour, Ben Arcioni for Wollongong and Ms Osborn to call for urgent action on public transport options in Wollongong and the Illawarra ahead of the March 23 NSW Government election.

THE Greens have called for a public transport master plan for the Illawarra, including a feasibility study into “local-all-stops trains”, every 10 to 15 minutes.

Currently there is just one “local all-stops train” available per hour on the Illawarra line.

Kaye Osborn, NSW Greens Candidate for Keira, puts this down to the NSW Government’s focus on public transport for commuting trips only.

Ms Osborn said the journey between Sydney and Wollongong takes just as long as it did in the 1930s.

“This is just not good enough,” she said.

“We need a faster, more convenient public transport system to keep pace with our rapidly growing region.”

Greens NSW MP and Transport Spokesperson Cate Faehrmann visited Wollongong today and joined Greens candidates Jamie Dixon for Shellharbour, Ben Arcioni for Wollongong and Ms Osborn to call for urgent action on public transport options in Wollongong and the Illawarra, ahead of the March 23 NSW Government election.

Beside the “all-stop-trains”, the Greens are calling on all parties to commit to a 30 per cent target for journeys being made by public or active transport (walking and cycling).

The NSW Government set a target for public transport to make up 15 per cent of transport in Wollongong by 2016 as part of the Illawarra Regional Transport Plan released in 2014. However, Ms Faehrmann said according to the Government’s Household Travel Survey (HTS) – Data by local government area, in 2017/18 public transport (bus and train) in Wollongong only made up seven per cent of journeys – less than half the Government’s target.

“We also support a target of 30 per cent of all journeys in Wollongong being by public transport or cycling and walking by 2025, and the development of a public transport masterplan to achieve this,” Ms Faehrmann said.

The party is also calling on the protection of a public transport corridor through the West Dapto land release.