Lawrie Sullivan's T-shirt says it all: 'Common sense isn't that common.'
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It was sheer coincidence, rather than design, that he wore it on the day The Post photographed him and his wife, Colleen, for a story about the NSW Trainlink bus service.
But it would be commonsense for the state government to continue this valued service in an area known for its poor train connections.
It would also be commonsense for Goulburn and district people to use it, rather than lose it, as MP Wendy Tuckerman advises.
Nevertheless, numbers and financial viability should not be the ultimate decider. The state government has a very patchy track record when it comes to delivering train services for Goulburn. The Trainlink buses were designed to complement existing trains and provide more convenient public transport connections for people in Goulburn and surrounding communities.
They were introduced in a blaze of glory at the same time as another private bus service operating from Marulan. The latter no longer runs.
There was little initial effort put into promoting the Trainlink buses to Canberra and Campbelltown and their return runs. As one person told us at the time: "It's as though they were set up to fail."
In the early stages, confusion also surrounded its booking. Casual users had to tap on using an Opal card but few in the ACT would have had one.
Mr Sullivan reiterated this week that many had laboured under the misapprehension that they had to book the service.
Granted, Goulburn MP Mrs Tuckerman has promoted the buses more vigorously during her time on the back of constituent representations. That, and the fact that patrons have also spruiked the service, have increased numbers.
We sincerely hope that Mrs Tuckerman keeps on the case and argues the point that a region the size of Goulburn's, in a growing area and with an ageing population, needs these buses.
They are also ideal for people trying to reach Sydney for the start of the working day or for early medical appointments. Though highly valuable, the community transport service does not fill all of this void.
Regional Transport Minister Paul Toole's statements so far that he will go back to the Department for further discussions is no guarantee.
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