[Greens-Media] CountryLink fares rise by as much as 22%
Lee Rhiannon
lee.rhiannon at gmail.com
Sat Sep 1 07:15:38 EST 2007
MEDIA RELEEASE
1 September
CountryLink fares rise by as much as 22%
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said CountryLink
fare hikes of up to 22 percent from 1 September 2007 were unreasonable
and likely to drive more passengers away from this essential public
service.
"Yesterday's ticket increases of 4.8 to 22 percent, depending on which
season someone travels, shows the government's contempt for rural and
regional NSW," Ms Rhiannon said
"Fares rose by 8 percent in 2005 and pensioners using their annual
travel vouchers were slugged with a 15 percent booking fee in March
2006.
"The increases are just one more blow to CountryLink in an exercise
of death by a 1,000 cuts.
"Under the NSW Labor government CountryLink has been turned from a
train based to a bus based service. It has suffered fare hikes, less
frequent and slower services, line closures, the shutting of
CountryLink travel centres and staffing cuts.
"The government says CountryLink fares will increase by 4.8 percent.
Closer reading shows many CountryLink customers will in fact be paying
12 percent more for shoulder season fares and more than 22 percent
extra for low season fares because of additional reductions to
seasonal discounts: http://www.countrylink.info/home
"This is because on top of the 4.8 per cent rise, seasonal discounts
will also be reduced from 40 to 30 percent in the Low Season and 20 to
15 percent in Shoulder Season. Low Season and Shoulder Season
represent the vast majority of the year.
"The subsidy per passenger-kilometre is already less for CountryLink
than for CityRail, and now country people are getting slugged by
significantly increased fares.
"These fare increases will only serve to make CountryLink less
attractive in comparison to air, car or coach travel.
"Last year the Greens conducted a survey of NSW CountryLink passengers
during our 'Save CountryLink' tour. It showed passengers' use of
CountryLink has been reduced by the government's assault on the
service.
"The Iemma government cannot afford to ignore the spectre of climate
change and rapidly rising oil prices, which demand maintaining and
strengthening rail services.
"Now is the time for Minister Watkins to guarantee the future of
CountryLink rail services, rather than smoothing the dying pillow," Ms
Rhiannon said.
For more information: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
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