[Greens-Media] Auditor-General's interchange report shows Transport Co-ordination Authority needed

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - 6 June 2007

Auditor-General's interchange report shows Transport Co-ordination Authority needed

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has renewed her calls for the establishment of a Transport Co-ordination Authority in response to a report by the NSW Auditor-General that highlights the failure to vest a body with overarching responsibility for Sydney's transport interchanges.

"The Auditor-General's report shows transport interchanges are orphans, with no central body responsible for making them work," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"Sydney needs an independent Transport Co-ordination Authority, responsible for planning a world-class public transport system for Sydney, including interchanges.

"The Ministry of Transport's written response to the report shies away from adopting the Auditor-Generals' recommendations, including a key recommendation to establish a co-ordinating entity to oversee interchanges.  

"The Minister for Transport John Watkins has in the past claimed commuters are reluctant to change transport modes, using this to justify his refusal to consider light rail for the CBD. 

"Minister Watkins has ignored evidence that interchanges have proven to be very effective in other world cities if well-planned and serviced by reliable, frequent services.

"Interchanges have the potential to be well-oiled hubs helping commuters travel quickly around Sydney via a range of transport modes such as ferries, trains, buses, bikes and cabs.

"Without key infrastructure like interchanges the government's ambitious plan to boost the number of people using public transport for work from one in five to one in four by 2016 will remain a pipedream.

"Transport planning clearly needs an independent champion in Sydney or public transport's share of total travel will continue to fall in Sydney.

"An independent Transport Co-ordination Authority, established separate from authorities responsible for delivering public transport, would be in the best position to put the needs of commuters first," Ms Rhiannon said. 

Contact: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
The Auditor General's report, 'Connecting with Public Transport' can be found at:
http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/performance/2007/public_transport/publictransport-contents.htm 



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au