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

Action for Public Transport is a transport consumer group, operating around Sydney. Our funds derive almost entirely from membership fees. Our members are users and beneficiaries of public transport.

We object to the proposal.

We note the claim in paragraph 13.1.1 of the EIS that there is a benefit/cost ratio of 2.55 but we cannot find the economic analysis which the BCR is based on. We would dispute any benefits claimed due to reduced congestion on the ground that the relevant section of the M4 is a radial motorway supported by a large population in western Sydney who own plenty of cars and have driving habits which will rapidly expand to fill any amplification of M4 road space.

Reducing congestion would be better achieved by expanding public transport connections to the western suburbs. Among the most obvious candidates for new rail lines would be the area south-west of Blacktown although there are many more. Public transport works should be supported by measures to discourage the long-distance car commuter, such as focussing development on dense centres with limited parking while tolling some of the roads favoured by such drivers.



Jim Donovan
Secretary
Action for Public Transport (NSW)
jimd@aptnsw.org.au
0428-609-208