[Greens-Media] Release CountryLink analysis with Masterplan - Greens

[Peter Stahel]

Release CountryLink analysis with Masterplan - Greens

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says planning for
regional rail should address future demand and travel patterns, not just
problems with the current CountryLink fleet. 

Ms Faehrmann has called for the government to release the analysis
regarding CountryLink services that has been prepared for Transport for
NSW – at the same time as the government's draft transport masterplan
is made public.

"It would make a mockery of the masterplan process if the vital
information contained in this report wasn't made public ," said Ms
Faehrmann.

"What is clear is that CountryLink is an incredibly important asset for
the future of NSW transport. In the consultation I recently conducted to
mirror the government's own process, a consistent theme from regional
NSW was that rail had to be taken seriously and made viable for the
future.

"The government needs to invest for a time when demand will be
significantly higher, as oil prices increase and driving long distances
becomes less and less affordable for everyday Australians. Investment in
a modern fleet of trains for regional NSW must be a part of this.

"Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian is right when she says that
Labor failed to invest or plan during their term in office, but that
can't be used as an excuse to delay, or as an excuse to cover up this
analysis. 

"The analysis must be released if the public is to have any confidence
in the direction the masterplan will take," said Ms Faerhmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727