[Greens-Media] No vision: draft transport plan written for the roads lobby not NSW – Greens

[Peter Stahel]

No vision: draft transport plan written for the roads lobby not NSW –
Greens 

The O'Farrell government's draft Transport Masterplan released today
continues NSW's record of prioritising roads over public transport,
according to Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann.

"There's little in this draft plan to suggest that it'll be any
different from the previous government's approach. We're looking at
massive investment in roads, despite this having been the case for the
previous 20 years," said Ms Faehrmann.

"Simply put, more motorways for Sydney is more of the same. Any
commuter can tell you what a failure they've been.

"If we don't see a major shift in funding priorities from roads to
rail, we will be doomed to even more congestion which is already
crippling businesses, impacting on people's health and polluting our
environment.

"The Sydney rail plan released a few months ago was more about moving
towards privatisation than it was about making public transport a much
better alternative for everyone.

"If we get public transport investment right, we won't need new
motorways.

"There are so many high value and relatively inexpensive projects like
new light rail and comprehensive bicycle networks that should be
included but instead we're seeing talk of massive new multi-billion
dollar motorways. 

"The government should come clean on exactly who is pushing for more
motorways. I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the community
are not. 

"We need a Premier and a Transport Minister who are willing to stand up
to the roads lobby," said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727