[Greens-Media] Govt establishes separate CBD metro authority: another public transport blunder

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 3 December 2008 - Media Release

Govt establishes separate CBD metro authority: another public transport
blunder

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says legislation
passed late last night establishing a separate Sydney Metro Authority to
manage plans for a CBD metro is misguided, expensive and goes against
the trend to integrate transport management.

The Greens voted against the Transport Administration Amendment (Metro
Rail) Bill 2008. The Greens policy is for an integrated NSW Transport
Co-ordination Authority.

"The government is wasting public money and resources establishing a
separate authority to manage one misguided CBD metro plan, which
considering this government's track record on public transport may well
never be built.  

"Sydney needs a single transport co-ordination authority, not another
separate agency going about its business in isolation. 
 
*The Greens support the extension of public transport, but this $4
billion CBD metro project is not the solution to Sydney*s transport
crisis.

*The government could deliver a better outcome at a fraction of the
price by extending the existing light rail service.

"In other states and internationally, co-ordinated transport planning
is the buzz word. NSW is yet again moving in completely the opposite
direction.

*This government has failed dismally to deliver integrated ticketing,
integrated timetables or integrated public transport. 

*Establishing a separate new authority to manage the CBD metro, and
maybe other metro plans that the government might later dream up then
abandon, is bad policy.

"Public transport across inner Sydney has a reputation for being
fragmented and  dysfunctional. There are already 10 transport agencies
in NSW.  

"Establishing a separate authority which sometime in the future may
expand on the government's feeble plans for a CBD metro is another sign
of its failure to properly manage public transport in this state.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 


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