Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the recent weeks I've been chatting with residents across Lane Cove, Gladesville and Ryde, listening to their experience with our local bus services. I've heard about missed buses, overcrowded routes and far too often people left stranded. Parents are understandably anxious about their children getting to school safely, and workers need reliable services to get around on time. Since their bus services were privatised by the last state Liberal government, our bus network has suffered. This eight-year contract has bought on delays, contested timetable changes and ongoing issues with driver shortages. Privatisation, of course, has also made these issues more difficult to address. Privatisation promised improvements, yet the outcomes have shown otherwise. Routes 288, 292, 533 and others have had issues since recent changes, and frequency, overcrowding and reliability have been issues raised directly with me. This is unacceptable, and it impacts families every day.

Obviously, this is very much a state issue, but locals know that when I see an issue in my community I'm always willing to help. That's why today I'm launching a community survey to hear directly from those locals affected by these changes. I need locals to help me identify the issues so that I can fight for you to get them addressed. Feedback received will go straight to the New South Wales government, as we work together towards better public transport in Bennelong.