[Greens-Media] Govt blamed for slump in CountryLink patronage

[Hans VanLeeuwen]

Govt blamed for slump in CountryLink patronage
Media release - December 1st, 2004

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has put the blame for the slump in CountryLink patronage squarely at the feet of the Carr Government, saying that successive Transport Ministers had done nothing to enhance or expand the service and make it more attractive to travellers.
 
RaiCorp’s annual report reveals that CountryLink has lost 500,000 passengers in the past five years, with a particularly pronounced drop in the most recent year (2003-04).
 
“CountryLink rail is crying out for more investment. Better services, better sales agents and better infrastructure would encourage more passengers,” Ms Rhiannon said.
 
“A huge problem is that the savage cuts to the availability of concessions on CountryLink have discouraged older people and disadvantaged people from using its services.
 
“The quota system means that many pensioners are unable to travel on the service they want, because there is only a limited number of discount seats on each service.
 
“Transport Minister Michael Costa claims that falling passenger numbers are somehow the product of market forces. But he has capped concessions and closed services, and so he is clearly responsible for the decline.
 
“The Greens call on Mr Costa to be proactive, and show a real commitment to rural rail. The solution to CountryLink’s problems isn’t to cut services * he should be investing in CountryLink’s future, giving it a platform on which to grow.
 
“We remain concerned that Mr Costa will use these figures as an excuse to cut yet more services, rather than try to turn CountryLink around,” Ms Rhiannon said.


Hans van Leeuwen
Media Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon
Tel: (61 2) 9230 3551
Fax: (61 2) 9230 3550
Mob: 0425 310 562
hans.vanleeuwen at parliament.nsw.gov.au