Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc. |
"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 |
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Kevin Eadie | 9819-6052 |