SECOND RATE NORTH WEST RAIL LINK TO BE SLOWER THAN CATCHING THE BUS

Media Release | Monday, 3 September 2012

SECOND RATE NORTH WEST RAIL LINK TO BE SLOWER THAN CATCHING THE BUS

The O'Farrell Government's decision to cut costs and run the North West Rail Link as a shuttle service will mean it will be faster for local commuters to catch the bus to and from the city.

Transport experts have confirmed residents will have a faster commute to work on the bus than the North West Rail Link:

"We've done some calculations from just about everywhere where someone would begin the trip to the city, and except for the Cherrybrook people, there would be a significant saving in time by sticking with the bus."

- David Hensher, Nine News, 2 September 2012

"Commuters are being sold a dud deal by the O'Farrell Government," Shadow Transport Minister, Penny Sharpe said today.

"A train service that was supposed to be a direct link into the city has now become a shuttle service where even the bus is faster.

"Commuters from the north west will be infuriated to learn that their promised rail link will be slower than the bus under the O'Farrell Government.

"Under the O'Farrell Government, passengers using the rail link will be forced to change trains at either Epping or Chatswood stations – where trains are already so overcrowded that passengers are regularly left waiting on the platform.

"These trains are already so crowded that you are lucky if you can find a place to stand – let alone a seat.

"The Government's own figures show that trains on the Northern Line at Epping Station are at 150 per cent capacity and trains on the North Shore Line at Chatswood are at 110 per cent capacity.

"Barry O'Farrell didn’t tell local residents that their existing bus services would be faster than his North West Rail Link prior to the election.
 
"The Premier has dudded the people of north west Sydney with a second-rate train service.

"People in Sydney's north west deserve and were promised better."