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

Minister's "Buy a car" statement draws angry response

posted Wednesday 1 September 2004

Four of the nine letters-to-the-editor published in Sydney's "Inner Western Courier" newspaper of Tuesday 31 August were from readers responding to the previous week's remarks from the Minister for Transport Services, Mr. Costa, suggesting that dissatisfied public transport users should "buy a car".

We re-print the letters in full.

DONKEYS TO WORK

Our members were disgusted to read an article in your August 17 edition by Evan Mistilis entitled, "Transport Minister says buy a car".

Why stop at a car? Surely a more cost-effective measure would be a bike? Or maybe the Transport Minister would have us all plodding off to work on donkeys? Let's face facts, a donkey is not a bad option considering the alternative - relying on Costa to get us to our appointment on time.

Morrie Mifsud, State President, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association NSW.

CAR SUGGESTION FUELS ANGER

Captain Chaos, aka the Minister for Transport, is living in the dark ages if he thinks the solution for solving traffic congestion and reducing greenhouse gasses is to "buy a car".

Even if everyone could afford a car or could drive one, there would simply not be enough space on the road to fit all the cars on for them to move. Isn't that why we have public transport and cycleways?

Chris Rissel, Summer Hill

COSTA COMMENT 'STUPID'

The Minister for Transport, Michael Costa, has demonstrated that he is clearly not fit to do the job he has been assigned when he recommends that Inner West commuters who are fed up with State Rail to "buy a car".

He shows he is incapable of understanding that his role is to provide commuters with an efficient and reliable public transport system which allows us to travel around Sydney. His comment is the height of stupidity, lacks vision and highlights his incompetence and inability to deliver a sustainable public transport system. Time for Costa to go back to driving trains - that is clearly the only benefit he offers to our public transport.

Sonja Sherer, Glebe.

CARS A COSTLY IDEA

I am among the people "outraged" by Transport Minister's Michael Costa's recent suggestion that Inner West commuters fed up with the rail system to "buy a car".

He is ignoring many things. Not all can afford a car or have access to one. Some younger, older and disabled people are not permitted to drive a car.

Some people, like me, refuse to own a car because they cause congestion, pollution, guzzle valuable oil reserves, contribute greatly to the greenhouse effect, and discourage exercise.

If funding were a barrier to the Government fulfilling its responsibility in providing a comprehensive, efficient and reliable public transport service, I would support levies and taxes to overcome this.

Sadly, given Costa's comments, I think other barriers need to be overcome.

Name supplied, Stanmore.

APT has complained to the NSW Premier about the Minister's reported views. We have asked the Premier whether he endorses those views, and if not, what action he intends to take.

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