Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Bus stop activists
SCOTT HOWLETT
08mar06

BUS commuters angry about moved bus stops in Parramatta are being encouraged to sign a petition to have them returned to where they were.

Many commuters have complained the stops are too far from shops and services.

Parramatta State Labor MP Tanya Gadiel, who has organised a petition, wants the working group that decided on the bus route changes to be reconvened.

"We need the working group reconvened so we can put the bus stops where the public expects them to be," Ms Gadiel said.

Telopea resident Brian McNeilly said he thought the new bus stops in Smith St were "shocking".

"The Smith St bus stops are unfair on old people and could make them sick," Mr McNeilly said.

"They'd be in an airconditioned shop, then they walk out into this heat and then have to walk all the way down here.

"Give me a petition and I'd sign it."

A resident has organised petitions opposing the changes to be posted in shops around Telopea.

Last week, a spokeswoman for Parramatta Council claimed the "route changes" were agreed to by a group which included Parramatta Council, the Ministry of Transport, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Sydney Buses and Westbus.

But in a letter to Transport Minister John Watkins, Parramatta Lord Mayor David Borger wrote that the State Transit Authority "wish all buses to remain on Church St".

At one time, the RTA's "preferred route" was also Church St, but council officers warned the RTA against this.

"The main concern was the detrimental effect on Parramatta's prime dining and entertainment area," Cr Borger wrote.

Yesterday Cr Borger said he would be happy to work with Ms Gadiel on the issue.

"Obviously some people have been inconvenienced," he said. "It is important we strike a balance between solving the problems of congestion on the one hand, and convenience on the other."

Telopea resident Leigh Callaghan has also organised a petition at four shops in Telopea after hearing "many complaints" from her neighbours and bus drivers.

Bus stops were moved from Church and Marsden streets to Smith St to coincide with the opening of the Parramatta transport interchange.