[Greens-Media] Rees’ congestion toll plan set to fail without public transport expansion

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
1 November 2008


Rees' congestion toll plan set to fail without public transport expansion

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said that if Premier
Nathan Rees fails to fast tract more public transport services
particularly in the north west and western Sydney suburbs his
congestion toll plan will bring financial hardship to the public and
will not relieve daily traffic gridlock.

"Premier Rees needs to realise that without more public transport
options many people will not be able to leave their car at home and
his congestion toll plan will become nothing more than another
government revenue raising measure," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Sydney's public transport is straining under increased patronage
right now. Particularly in peak periods there is very little room for
additional passengers.

"The London experience has shown how congestion charges can work
successfully when public transport options are increased.

"When London introduced congestion taxes they had a public transport
system that could cater for people who no longer wanted to drive.

"Sydney's current public transport mix could not cope with the extra
passenger numbers that would be generated by congestion charges.

"Premier Rees' needs to learn from the London experience.

"The benefits of congestion charges are well established, but for them
to work in terms of reducing cars on the road,
people have to be able to access reliable public transport.

"If the Premier pushes ahead with his congestion toll plan without
addressing public transport many people in the north west and western
suburbs will be hard hit, as there are no or few public transport
options in many outer suburbs.

"Congestion charges can only work effectively and fairly if there is a
range of efficient and reliable public transport options for
commuters.

"When the Premier announces his congestion toll plan he should do it
in conjunction with a commitment to build the north west heavy rail
line, expand light rail services and upgrade existing services," Ms
Rhiannon said.


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