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

LATE NIGHT BUS TRIAL FOR KINGS CROSS

Following my meeting with Minister for Transport in October, he has agreed to trial a late night bus service between Kings Cross and the City.

Beginning on 1 December, the trial will run to the end of April 2007, covering this year's peak festive period and peak crime period. The service will operate between 1am and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights, with buses running from Kings Cross to Central. The Minister has requested that local businesses meet the costs of providing a security guard to ensure safety.

My October meeting with the Minister included Kings Cross Police Commander Mark Murdoch, Liquor Accord representative Doug Grand, and Kings Cross Partnership representative Stephen Carnell.

At the meeting, we presented the Minister with City research on licensed premises in the precinct and a report on the Kings Cross Liquor Accord's trial bus service. During its six month trial, the service transported between 300 and 400 people out of Kings Cross each weekend, before it was forced to discontinue due to lack of funds.

Kings Cross is a 24 hour entertainment zone, with large numbers of tourists and visitors. Many people are stranded because they have left venues after the trains and buses have stopped and before they start again next morning. Police report that people are at risk of crime and violence, while residents are affected by noise and anti-social behaviour.

The Kings Cross Police Accountability Community Team (PACT), which includes resident groups, businesses and service provider representatives, had called for the service as a key strategy to reduce alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

I welcome the Minister's decision and I encourage late night venues to promote the service to their patrons, to help ensure the trial is a success.