Start the Change

I have put forward previously to the current inept government some options but have not recieved feedback - positive or negative about them. There is a deviation from central that passes under lee st and connects to a siding that almost butts onto the light rail near paddys market. This siding could be removed and the viaduct converted to access the underground network - this could be part of the city circle so it goes from redfern to redfern rather than central to central thus meaning no additional platforms would be needed just track

The NSW Liberals & Nationals today announced a $40 million Park and Travel Safety Fund to improve commuter safety in and around train stations, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said today.

“As I move around the community, people constantly say safety concerns are one of the reasons why they don’t use public transport, especially at night,” Mr O’Farrell said.

From left field - How much does it cost to issue, collect, safeguard, count, and audit transport fares? Please include all printing, ditribution, commissions, staffing and office overheads. OK. Now what if it was free? Would the transport system lose about the same amount as they lose now?

We need Buses, Trains for the local villages in the Southern Highlands, there are a lot of elderly people live here, and you need a car, or you do not go any where.

We have two Trains in the morning into the Central, you can spend a day in Sydney, but to come home there is only the one Train, that travels without you having to change at Campbelltown, and I do not like to change there, the Bus is a school bus, or there is a rail bus, but that is only the one, picks up at Colo Vale at 10.10am, must be at the railway station by 12.30pm to come back home.

Earlier today, I twittered with Barry O'Farrell regarding my issues for NSW. Given I only have 140 letters to express this, I mentioned:

1. Traffic & Resource Infrastructure
2. Government Land Release
3. Health (Mental Care & Hospitals)

Of course, the Liberal NSW Leader agreed, and directed me to a website of his - "startthechange.com.au"

I checked it out.

The Liberal/Nationals have 5 Top Priorities, but from the policies listed, I have commented on those I feel are more pressing.

Last Monday my family travelled to Coffs Harbour by train. (a distance of 530 km). If the highway ever gets finished it would probably be 5 1/2 hrs by road. Well we live at Rooty Hill about 50km west of the CBD. We could not get the train to Strathfield station early in the morning as the trains are crowded and have no provision for luggage. So we got a mini bus. As the train was leaving at 7.30am and we had to book in 1/2 hour earlier, because the M4 is usually a parking station in peak hour we had to leave home at 5.30am to be sure we were on time. Then the train trip from hell. 7.30 am until 4.30 pm  nine hours to cover 500 km. I think they are using the 1910 timetable not the 2010 timetable. All up 11 hours to get to Coffs Harbour from Sydney.

My biggest gripe is the people of this state have paid enough taxes to have decent train travel, but all the money gets wasted (the CBD metro for example). The government wastes money without blinking an eye as though it is their money. It is our money.

For our sake get into power, cut the beaurocracy, stop wasting money and get things done.

Gladys Berejiklian when the NSW Labor Party introduced myzone ticketing system even though I'm not a regular my zone ticket holder. Could you abolish the my zone ticketing system please?

The big issue in the Southern Highlands is the disastrous train service here. Most services don't go to Central, most services don't go past Moss Vale and on the weekend, most services come every 2 hours.

I contacted David Campbell about this but he just ignored me.

G'day,

Would you kindly advise details of how a Liberal/National State Government would improve country rail passenger services. One only has to look at the great steps taken in Victoria in recent years with the construction of high speed tracks for fast and frequent longer distance intrastate passenger services. Towns on rail should be serviced by high speed rail on a frequent basis several times a day.

Further-more petroleum fuels should be returned to rail for delivery to major country distribution points for local delivery only.   What is your policy on keeping the high-capacity tankers off our roads where practical. - eg, to Goulburn/Canberra, Yass/Cootamundra/Junee/Wagga, Lithgow/Bathurst/Orange/Parkes/Dubbo (and later to Mudgee), also Taree/Grafton, Muswellbrook/Tamworth/Narrabri/Moree??????

Look forward to real policies on these matters.

The 2011 election will be my first state election to vote in and I intend to make that vote count. At the moment I will be voting for an O'Farrell Coalition government. The current Labor government is flaccid and completely devoid of any ideas or charisma. I just hope that the people of NSW see through the shallow exterior of Keneally and see the Sartors, Tripodis, Orkopolous's etc.