Pyrmont Action Press Release: 448 Bus Service

18 February, 2013

PRESS RELEASE

Pyrmont Action has sought clarification on the failure of the Government to make the 448 bus service available to Pyrmont residents with John Ajaka, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads.

1. The Government claims that Route 448 was introduced and designed in response to growing demand.  Regular observations of Pyrmont residents reveal that around a maximum of 8 passengers use the service on any one run.   This cannot be considered an efficient use of public resources.
2. There continues to be UNMET demand by Pyrmont residents for use of the bus on its return journey (currently they are prohibited from using the bus on its return journey).  As the service is pre-paid, we fail to understand why use of the service on the return journey would require ANY additional resources.  There is one bus and one bus driver, both of which must make the return journey in order to pick up the workers who are allowed to travel in the opposite direction.   What extra resources are required?
3. As this is a peak hour service, the Government’s statement that the 448 service is not exclusive and is available to the travelling public is incorrect.  Pyrmont workers want to travel INTO the city in the mornings and FROM the city in the evenings.   The 448 is therefore NOT available to Pyrmont residents as it only carries passengers in the opposite direction.
4. We have asked for advice on how much Transport for NSW receives by way of private sector subsidy for the 448 bus service.
5. We have asked for advice on the exact date of the review of Inner West bus services promised for 2013.
6. The review will not be able to gauge unmet demand if it only considers customer feedback, patronage data and operational performance.  It is critical for the government to find out what members of the community actually want and need by way of bus services.  For example, the 449 service was removed without any consultation as to whether it was scheduled at times that met potential customer demand.   This service was particularly important for Pyrmont and Ultimo residents who do not have cars to be able to shop at Broadway, especially the many social housing residents.

Elizabeth Elenius

Convenor