[Greens-Media] Labor abandons public transport in Sydney

[Peter Stahel]

Labor abandons public transport in Sydney

Parramatta-Epping rail link must be built - Greens

Following reports the Federal Government will withdraw funding for the
Parramatta-Epping rail link, NSW Greens MP and transport spokesperson
Cate Faehrmann says Labor has abandoned public transport in Sydney by
dumping a vital infrastructure project that would benefit millions of
people living and working in Greater Sydney in favour of the doomed
WestConnex tollway.

“Labor has abandoned public transport in Sydney in favour of poorly
planned tollways that will end up exactly like the rest of them –
carparks," said Ms Faehrmann

“Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese recently committed $2billion
for the WestConnex motorway with Premier Barry O'Farrell committing
$1.8 billion, without a comprehensive business case or traffic
modelling. It's money that could be much better spent on public
transport infrastructure instead of going to a privatised motorway
that's not even taking the majority of people where they want to go -
from one part of Western Sydney to another.

"The Parramatta-Epping rail link is an essential piece of
infrastructure to get workers and families from one part of Western
Sydney to another and it's disgraceful that it's being used as a
political football once again.

"The last time funding was committed to the Parramatta-Epping rail
link was just before the last federal election. When will the old
parties stop treating the people of Western Sydney as electoral
fodder?

"Western Sydney continues to undergo a population boom. Both the state
and federal governments need to put aside their differences and work
together to genuinely address the transport needs of the area. That
includes investing in the public transport infrastructure that will
serve the people of Western Sydney for many decades to come," said Ms
Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727