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

Action for Public Transport (NSW) is a transport advocacy group active in Sydney since 1974. We promote the interests of beneficiaries of public transport; both passengers, and the wider community. We make this submission on the Review of Environmental Factors dated February 2017 as it relates to route 423 services.

General remarks

According to the Executive Summary of the REF, the Bus Priority Program supports Sydney's Bus Future by delivering projects that make buses more reliable. That is reasonable, but the whole idea is priority for the bus passengers. The mass removal of bus stops speeds the buses up but mightn't help passengers. Note that a bus stop which is hardly ever used doesn't delay buses at all because they don't have to stop there, so the only reason to remove it would be to free kerb space for parking etc.

One wonders whether removing any bus stop is legal under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), as it disproportionately worsens the trip for people with limited mobility.

It is essential that any new bus stop locations be equipped with shelters where not already under a shop awning, and with seats and timetable information. All this should be ready the same day that the stops enter service.

It is surprising that this change is being managed by the road-focused RMS instead of by a public transport department. That might explain any emphasis on bus priority over passenger priority but doesn't justify it.

Specific remarks - route 423

The aerial photograph of stop 75 in the leaflet is out-of-date. The new Bunnings there would seem very likely to generate bus trips.

The proposed removal of stops 36 and 37 would seem to be motivated mainly for the benefit of general road traffic, as these stops are located close to shops. We strongly question this motive.