[Greens-Media] Auditor-General on rail overcrowding: Rees' goose is cooked

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 5 November 2008

Auditor-General on rail overcrowding: Rees' goose is cooked

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says new figures from the Auditor-General showing rail overcrowding is set to intensify demands a substantial investment in public transport in next Tuesday's mini-budget.

The Auditor-General's report shows CityRail passenger journeys have increased by 5.2 percent between 2006/07 and 2007/08 due to rising petrol prices. He notes 'this trend is expected to continue' and that overcrowding is the major cause of passenger dissatisfaction: http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/financial/2008/vol4/contents.htm 

"With petrol prices expected to rise further in future, the Premier must invest in public transport to reduce overcrowding and save his government from annihilation," Ms Rhiannon said.

"There's a lot of time available to contemplate a change of government when standing on a crowded train.  

"Premier Nathan Rees has responded to rising petrol prices and overcrowding by dumping major rail projects.

"RailCorp's response has been to provide a few extra services and fiddle with the timetable. 

"The Premier must drop his plans for new motorway projects, invest in rail upgrades and enforce priority traffic measures like bus, transit and bike lanes.

"If the government fails to act the economic disruption from a scarcity of fuels will cripple NSW.

"Mr Rees' blinkers are well and truly on when it comes to the full impacts of Peak Oil and escalating petrol prices. 

"Just last week the Premier's office told me that they would not support the Greens Peak Oil Bill that establishes a Peak Oil Taskforce, because peak oil is a Commonwealth responsibility.

"It is time the government wakes up to the full-impact of peak oil and rising petrol prices.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 

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