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Inquiry has lost the concept of “Public” Transport!

September 8th 2003 - Democrat MLC, Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, has raised several concerns about the future of public transport in NSW in light of recommendations made by the Ministerial Inquiry into Sustainable Transport in NSW interim report released today.

“While a handful of recommendations from the Democrat’s submission into the Inquiry have been adopted, the overall thrust of the report is very disturbing,” he said.

“This report seems to have adopted a very economic rationalist view on the state’s role in providing public transport. The Carr government should focus on ways to make people not use their cars. Increasing the price of fares is not going to help!”

“It now seems that this “Labor” Government’s solution to public transport is: Lets Cut our Loses and Get the Hell Out of Here!”

Of imminent concern is the recommendation that some CountryLink services should be replaced with CountryLink Bus services.
“This seems like one step towards privatisation of the passenger rail service.”

“Three years ago, almost to the day, I sought clarification from the Treasurer in parliament, about any future plans to privatise Countrylink.”

He replied by saying: “ A Labor government will never privatise Countrylink, nor any passenger rail service in NSW.” (L.C. Hansard article No.22. 6/9/00)

“With the implication of this report, I am now in doubt!” Dr Chesterfield-Evans concluded.