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

"The sole MyMulti Day Pass costs $20," Mr Miles said, "good for touring outside the city, but far too expensive for someone making a few train and bus trips around the suburbs." "The hassle of needing a separate ticket for each part of the journey must be removed," Mr Miles said, "and removed quickly, without waiting for the proposed smartcard."

"MyZone also excludes trips on the light rail, monorail and private ferries," he said. "The light rail extension through the Inner West cannot be part of a transport network if passengers need a separate ticket when changing from a train or bus," he said. Kevin Warrell, CEO of Metro Transport that runs the light rail says, “We welcome including light rail within MyZone – this will be a great first step towards truly integrated fares across Sydney, and essential for the sensible development of the light rail network”. "MyZone's rejection of private ferry fares discriminates against commuters from certain suburbs," Mr Miles said. "Most ferry commuters can use their MyZone ticket to continue their journey from Circular Quay by rail or bus, but people arriving by private ferry need to use a separate ticket."

Mr Miles alleged that despite the rhetoric of planning documents and the former government about getting people to use public transport, new passengers are still being refused entry to buses because they haven't bought a pre-pay ticket. "The new government must modify the ticket system," he said, " to encourage first timers, not inconvenience or embarrass them to the extent that they turn away forever."

"The prepay system has improved travel times," Mr Miles said, "by removing much of the fumbling and bumbling that went on at bus stops." "But there is no suitable alternative for first-time users," he said, "and for other people who for various reasons do not have a ticket when they need to board a bus." Mr Miles maintains that the inconsistency of the prepay rules is what most irritates current passengers, and thoroughly discourages new ones. "Some MetroBuses are always prepay, some are not," Mr Miles said. "Other buses may be prepay or not, depending on where they are, the hour of day, and the day of the week.

"The travelling public looks to Mr O'Farrell and his new government to remedy these defects promptly," Mr Miles said.

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