[Greens-Media] Sydney bus service cuts reveal another public transport con from Labor government

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
31 August 2006

Sydney bus service cuts reveal another public transport con from Labor government

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW government to reverse its planned cuts to Sydney bus services.

“The extra peak hour bus trips the government has put on do not justify these cuts,” Ms Rhiannon said. 

“Once again the Iemma government has been caught out trying to con the public. 

“A growing city like Sydney cannot afford to lose bus services.

“Higher petrol prices are bringing more people to public transport and the Iemma government’s response is to cut services. 

“A diverse range of bus services are essential for a sprawling city like Sydney. They are critical people movers that should not be sacrificed when the government runs into financial problems. 

“Off peak bus services should be boosted rather than cut back. People will be less likely to use their car when public transport provides a regular and reliable service. 

“Bus services have a huge environmental benefit. If people take fewer car trips air pollution will be reduced along with greenhouse gas emissions.

“The loss of off peak services is unacceptable. Cuts to bus services are bad news for disadvantaged communities. For some people this is the only means of transport.  

“The Iemma government needs to plan for the future. The end of the age of oil will require an expansion of public transport and that will have to include more bus services. 
 
“A city the size of Sydney will always need bus services. They are too important to be sacrificed because of government mismanagement,” Ms Rhiannon said.


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