Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has attacked the State Government over the adverse impact of the Epping to Chatswood rail link on North Shore residents.
“Not only will North Shore timetables be adversely impacted but it appears Labor has tried to cover up the bad news by leaving the new timetable out of a 24 page booklet entitled ‘Proposed 2009 City Rail Timetable’,” Mr O’Dea said.
“The booklet is little more than a lengthy narrative on every rail line in the Sydney system,” he said.
“We are told stations from Gordon to Roseville will have a ‘similar level of service’, giving the impression the only change will be to departure times!
“An examination of details on the City Rail website however, reveals the apparent truth – the number of weekday City bound services from Lindfield and Roseville will be cut by 23 percent – from around 149 to just 114 services!
“In the critical morning peak, one train has disappeared from the timetable altogether, leaving a long 15 minute wait at Roseville, Lindfield and Killara stations. For example, at Killara, there will be no train between 8.24am and 8.39am.
“This stretches the meaning of the word ‘similar’ way too far,” Mr O’Dea said.
“At a time when NSW Labor is forcing more development on the Upper North Shore (including via the Ku-ring-gai Town Centre proposals) it is further reducing public rail transport services! We need a better balance of new development, essential infrastructure and access to public transport,” Mr O’Dea said.
“As for the 24 page booklet, few people would need so much information. Most commuters would appreciate a double-sided sheet with pertinent details and a clear outline of the service changes.
“North Shore residents also need to be made properly informed of the interim arrangements for the initial shuttle service between Epping and Chatswood, as the so called proposed 2009 service will not be fully operational until late next year,” Mr O’Dea concluded.
