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TEN News | Monday 15 April 2013 | POLICE SHORTAGES ON THE RAIL NETWORK from Penny Sharpe on Vimeo.

Media Release | Monday, 15 April 2013

MAJOR POLICE SHORTAGES ON THE RAIL NETWORK PUTTING COMMUTER SAFETY AT RISK

Commuter safety is being put at risk because the O'Farrell Government has drastically cut the number of people patrolling our trains and station platforms.

The Government has sacked hundreds of transit officers who previously patrolled the rail network 24 hours a day – but has left the police transport command that was supposed to replace the transit officers understaffed.  

The police transport command is currently understaffed by 67 full time police officers.

There are supposed to be 351 full time police officers patrolling the train network, but are currently just 284.

Media Release | Monday, 15 April 2013

CRACKDOWN ON FARE EVASION AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR LONG OVERDUE – MINISTER NEEDS TO FIX SECURITY ON OUR TRAINS PERMANENTLY

A major police operation on our public transport network targeting fare evaders and anti-social behaviour is long overdue but is no replacement for a permanent and visible security presence, Shadow Transport Minister Penny Sharpe said today.

Recent figures revealed the number of penalty notices for fare evasion had almost halved since the O'Farrell Government came to office.

In 2011, there were 128,813 penalty notices issued for fare evasion.

In 2012, this dropped dramatically to just 73,260 notices.

“For far too long fare evaders have known there is little chance of being caught simply because there are not enough people patrolling the rail network,” Ms Sharpe said.

Media Release | Thursday, 11 April 2013

HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT TRANSPORT NEEDS IN SHELLHARBOUR AND THE SOUTH COAST

Shadow Minister for Transport, Penny Sharpe is hosting a series of meetings next week to give communities in Shellharbour and the South Coast a chance to have a say on public transport in their local areas.

“Last year the State Government released the much anticipated Transport Masterplan, but it has little in the way of public transport for communities outside of Sydney,” Ms Sharpe said.

“Residents in Shellharbour and the South Coast have essentially been forgotten by the O'Farrell Government's Transport Masterplan – with the Government devoting just one and a half pages in the 350 page document to Southern NSW.”

Meetings will be held from 15-19 April. All meetings are free and no registration is required.

Mon, 15 April | 6-7.30pm    Macquarie Room , Shellharbour Club, Cnr Wattle & Shellharbour Rds, SHELLHARBOUR

Wed, 17 April | 6-7.30pm    Bomaderry Bowling Club    Meroo Rd BOMADERRY

Thurs, 18 April | 5.30-7pm    Batemans Bay Soldiers Club    Beach Rd, BATEMANS BAY

Fri, 19 April | 5.30-7pm    Bega CWA Rooms    31 Church Street, BEGA