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

Action for Public Transport (NSW) Inc. ("APTNSW") is a transport advocacy group which has been active in Sydney since 1974. We promote the interests of beneficiaries of public transport - passengers and the wider community alike.

Generally we are concerned that the draft RTP should do more to promote public transport in the region.

ISSUES

• The plan should indicate what assumptions it is making with respect to COVID-19 and what might happen if those assumptions are not met.

• The plan should bring forward works to maintain and enhance rail services between the region and Sydney. In particular, either or both of the Maldon-Dombarton line and the Waterfall-Thirroul tunnel should be funded for construction to start in the next couple of years. We understand that the Stanwell Park viaduct's service life is being shortened by the amount of freight passing over it. Also, we understand there is conflict for timeslots between passenger and freight services. For both these reasons, more capacity for freight should be provided. Another advantage of Maldon-Dombarton would be to reduce the cost of extra locomotives being incurred because they are needed for southbound freight to climb the steep Como bank.

  If and when Port Kembla becomes a container terminal, rail freight tonnages can be expected to increase markedly, giving additional cause for amplifying the rail network.

• The plan's objectives for freight are inconsistent. Roads supporting the efficient movement of freight will simply take loads off rails, with adverse results for rail viability, yet there is an objective for rail to support the efficient movement of freight (pages 51-54). Similarly, expanding the road network for HPVs results in road carrying large loads that should properly be on rail.

• We point out that simply converting the car fleet to electric is not in itself an answer to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. More is needed to achieve that. The electricity network as it is now would be incapable of distributing all the energy required to keep the cars charged and would have to be augmented to carry the necessary energy. Also, the energy would have to come from sustainable sources so there will need to be continuing progress in sustainable electricity generation.

• The suggestion on page 28 that the new intercity fleet with its fixed seats will improve comfort should be treated with caution. Many commentators have criticised the seats. The trains have not yet entered service; let us wait to see how passengers react to the design.

• A good way to help with safety would be to reduce truck trips in the region. Zero road deaths will never be achieved while there are so many heavy trucks.