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NEWS RELEASE: Private Bus Weeklies - More To Do, But Heading In The Right Direction

posted Friday 3 October 2008
A transport consumer group has welcomed the new weekly tickets for private bus users, but says that more must be done to give equality with government bus users. Action for Public Transport spokesman, Allan Miles, said that the weekly tickets will save passengers time and money. "The twenty percent discount on the cost of single tickets is the same as on State Transit's TravelTen tickets", he said. While the tickets are not available from all bus companies yet, Mr Miles said that APTNSW commended the start and hopes the complete roll-out will be finished soon.

"The government's policy is equality for all bus users, regardless of geography," Mr Miles said, "and the lack of these tickets in outer areas was a sore point."

"Bus passengers will welcome the cheaper rides," Mr Miles said, "and everyone, including motorists, will welcome the shorter delays at bus stops." The new tickets are sold by bus drivers. Mr Miles suggested that tickets could be sold at agencies and on-line. "This would further reduce delays," he said, "and would avoid bus drivers having to carry large amounts of cash." "Even with these new tickets, private bus users are still denied other tickets that government bus users have enjoyed for decades," Mr Miles said. "BusPlus tickets issued by some companies allow travel on the private bus to the railway station and also a ride on the train to the city." Mr Miles said that APTNSW hopes the BusPlus tickets can be extended to all stations once the new weeklies are bedded in.

"In the past, the government has baulked at enhancing tickets for private bus users while ever the planned Tcard ticket was on the horizon," Mr Miles said. "Now that a smartcard is still an eternity away," he said, "the government has done the right thing and provided relief for long neglected private bus passengers."

"Using public transport should be as easy and convenient as using your private motor car," Mr Miles said, "and anything that makes the tickets more simple will help reach that goal." "While the weekly tickets are welcome," Mr Miles said, "users of other buses and trains can buy longer term tickets, up to one year, at an increased discount." Mr Miles said that an extension of this facility should also be considered.

Contact: Allan Miles 9516-1906
Kevin Eadie 9819-6052




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