THE plight of Goulburn rail travellers rated a generous mention during the State Government’s Budget Estimates General Purpose Standing Committee sitting in Sydney last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chaired by Natasha Maclaren- Jones MLC with several politicians, including shadow transport minister Penny Sharpe in attendance, Goulburn’s plight was raised with Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian by the Temporary Chair of Committees, Paul Green MLC.
Ms Berejiklian replied she was aware of STRUG’s concerns and “their desire” for a rescheduled timetable.
“Introducing new timetables is extremely complex and I appreciate that in some parts of the network people feel that they preferred the old system compared to the new one,” she told the hearing.
“Our job is to make sure that we are delivering benefits to the vast majority of customers, but I completely understand that there are people who want us to review their part of the network and I have instructed Transport for NSW as well as our agencies to consistently monitor the timetable.”
Ms Berejiklian was also grilled on the Opal Card that was now being rolled out, but not as yet in Goulburn, particularly how it would affect seniors and country people.
Questions such as these have already been raised by STRUG and their next meeting this coming Monday night at the Soldiers Club will hear from NSW Trains’ Goulburn-based Regional Service Delivery Manager Ian Mondon on that subject.
STRUG secretary Leon Oberg said he was anticipating a big roll-up for while many people had already experienced somewhat similar cards in other states, the NSW version seemed to offer many impediments, inconsistencies and issues, particularly for country people.
“We are delighted Mr Mondon will be attending the meeting given the card’s impending rollout and the issues some Goulburn travellers including seniors have been reporting in Sydney regarding interface issues when attempting to purchase tickets for buses that will allow them seamless connection with trains to return home,” Mr Oberg said.
“One not only irking users in the Exeter to Goulburn corridor is the fact that for some crazy reason tickets will not be available at railway stations and as yet no one can advise exactly from where, and at what times, cards will be available in Goulburn.
“In the Standing Committee transcript, the Minister mentioned several large supermarkets were already outlets in Sydney and hopefully, Mr Mondon can explain how Tallong, Wingello, Penrose, Exeter, Marulan travellers who do not have supermarkets in their villages will cope.”
“And given current Endeavour train tickets can only be used on the day of purchase, what guarantee does one have of being able to buy an Opal Card in the pre-dawn hours for an emergency travel need on say, the 5.31am train – well before local supermarkets open? “We understand Opal Cards can be obtained on the Internet. But many people do not have Internet and for many living in the villages mentioned some can not even get mobile phone service with some carriers,” Mr Oberg said.
Another matter needing explanation will be whether Goulburn people will be penalised by the Opal Card’s computer under the more expensive peak-hour travel rate despite portions of that travel being outside peak hour by tyranny of distance.
“Since the Opal Card is based on a tap on and tap off basis, and if a user fails to tap off, or the equipment at one’s destination has been vandalised or faulty, rendering it impossible to tap off, the user will continue to be charged up to the maximum daily rate,” he asked.
