| LOGSNAPPER' SOAPBOX: SYDNEY'S PUBLIC TRANSPORT - WHAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT (Review of Article 'Stuck in queue for 292', by Lisa Capozzi; taken from the North Shore Times, August 22, 2003; page 5) The topic of the article is a grievance many people living in Sydney share about the state of the public transport system: its lack of timliness. In particular, the bus routes which travel between the CBD and the Ryde, Epping or Marsfield areas (like 286, 288, or 292) are the subject of the debate. The photograph in the article depicts an extremely long queue at a bus stop in Lane Cove on a typical morning at peak hour. One particular doctor living in Lane Cove working in Martin Place, claimed it took him 50 minutes 'just to get to work'. He had aired his grievances with both the State Transit Authority and his local MP. Sor faor, nothing had been done, so he aired his grievances with The North Shore Times. The problem, however, is not confined to Lane Cove. In the past, I used to live in Sydney's Southern Suburbs and had to travel to get to work each day. It took me no more than 50 minutes to get to work. At present, I live in Sydney's North Shore, and it takes me well over an hour to travel elsewhere, be it East, West or South. And, on some weekends, it takes me twice as long to get to a destination. Sometimes, there are no trains at all on weekend. This example is used to illustrate my point: Two work colleagues (both in the Hornsby area) had to work on a Sunday. That same day they were due in, the trains were cancelled and these people waited an inordinate amount of time. When they saw how much time was getting away from them, they had to catch a cab to work. The MP taking up the complaint of the doctor claimed he was hiring a professional to compile statistics, conduct surveys and the like. Hence, his arguement would carry more weight in parliament. However, reading about it offers little in consolation to members of the public, who are finding out they are paying more and getting less!!! And using alternative means of transort, like driving, become more expensive. And one can forget about taking cabs (which are prohibitively expensive if used all the time). As well, the minister for transport (Michael Koster) wants to charge people for driving in to the city. Meanwhile, there may well be some viable alternatives: 1. Walking Good for when there is no transport; in some cases it may be quicker. Also, the idea of a 'walking bus' with a group of people is useful at night time (when it is not safe to walk alone) and is a good, inexpensive way to keep fit. 2. Car-pooling Involves giving people lifts in your car in exchange for a small amount of money (for petrol and related expenses) or some other favours, such as giving them a lift when they need it. 3. Sharing a cab Helps cut down on the expense of taxi-riding. 4. Forming a bus/transport 'company' or co-op of your own Especially when there is a sufficient level of demand for it. And, meanwhile, it should be suggested that one should write to their MPs for help; especially their local or state MPs. Back to Logsnapper's Soapbox |