O'FARRELL'S DUD DEAL ON THE NORTH WEST SHUTTLE

Media Release | Thursday, 6 September 2012

O'FARRELL'S DUD DEAL ON THE NORTH WEST SHUTTLE  -

$8 BILLION TO SAVE A MINUTE IN TRAVEL TIME – CATCHING THE BUS IS FASTER

The O'Farrell Government is trying to sell the people of NSW a dud deal on its proposed shuttle service to Chatswood – which will cost at least $8 billion, but have virtually no impact on congestion.

Today it was revealed the shuttle service would have almost no impact on road congestion – with the average motorist only saving one minute per trip between Rouse Hill and Macquarie Park once the second rate service is built.

Experts have said that in many cases, residents will be better off sticking with the bus.

"The people of the north west were promised a direct, heavy rail line to the city by the Premier, but now he wants to give them a single deck, second rate shuttle service to Chatswood," Opposition Leader John Robertson said. 

"The Transport Minister also looks set to build the tunnels so narrowly, the shuttle service won't be able to be incorporated into the CityRail network with double deck trains, now or into the future.

"Barry O'Farrell is trying to sell the people of the north west a broken promise. 

"In many cases, it will be faster to catch the bus than the north west shuttle service to work.

"The O'Farrell Government still hasn't announced a start date, a finish date or how they are going to pay for it."

Shadow Transport Minister, Penny Sharpe said: "Barry O'Farrell didn’t tell local residents that their existing bus services would be faster than his north west shuttle to Chatswood prior to the election." 

"Commuters from the north west have every right to be furious because their promised rail link will be slower than the bus under the O'Farrell Government.

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