Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea welcomed an announcement that a re-elected Baird Government will increase funding for community transport by a further $12 million over the next four years.
In March 2011 the NSW Liberals & Nationals doubled community transport funding over four years with an increase of $12 million – the first funding boost to community transport since 1998. If re-elected, the Baird Government will continue this support with a further $12 million boost.
Mr O’Dea said the huge funding boost means extra services and extra support for the most vulnerable members of the Davidson electorate who rely on these services regularly.
“Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Transport, Manly-Warringah Pittwater Community Transport and Northside Community Forum (formerly DARTS) all stand to benefit from this welcome funding injection,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Community transport provides a vital service for people who can’t drive or catch regular public transport because of their age, disability or simply because of where they live.
“Without community transport, many people in our community would struggle to do the things many of us take for granted. Whether it’s getting to the doctor, the chemist, seeing family or heading to the shops – community transport is a lifeline for many local residents.
“With an ageing population, the need for community transport services in NSW will only increase. While Labor continues to ignore community transport, I am pleased the Baird Government is providing the much-needed funds to keep up with demand.
“I am proud of the work our local community transport providers and volunteers do for this community and am pleased with this funding boost from the Baird Government,” Mr O’Dea said.
Community transport makes a huge contribution in NSW - employing more than 1,200 people, assisted by 3,500 volunteers, and providing almost two million trips to customers a year.
