Blue Mountains Commuters and Transport Users Association

Transport group calls for support in station staff cuts battle

Blue Mountains Gazette
5 August 2009

Fighting station changes: Blue Mountains
Commuter and Transport Users’ Association
secretary Paul Trevaskis at Springwood Railway
Station last week.

With staffing levels at Blue Mountains railway stations still at risk, the area’s main transport lobby group is counting on the community’s support at two important upcoming meetings.

Blue Mountains Commuter and Transport Users’ Association secretary Paul Trevaskis has issued a public call for support to “ensure the staffing on our stations and the Blue Mountains rail services meet the community expectations”.

Frontline staffing levels at 10 Blue Mountains railway stations were placed at risk in April when news of a CityRail restructure was made public.

While the commuter group has been lobbying State MPs Phil Koperberg and Karyn Paluzzano behind the scenes, they are hoping for a good turnout at meetings in Springwood on August 12 and Katoomba on August 15.

The Springwood meeting will be held at Springwood Sports Club at 8pm while the Katoomba meeting will be held at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre at 1pm.

“The next 12 months has many challenges that include further timetable changes, rolling stock acquisition, new Oscar carriages and refurbishment of the intercity cars, integrated ticketing
plus the bus review for the Blue Mountains,” said Mr Trevaskis.

“Our action plan is to ensure improvements in transport services, both bus and rail, to reduce carbon gas emissions, carbon footprints, obtain carbon credits for public transport users and
achieve from the Federal Government fringe benefit tax concession for public transport users for work related journeys.”

For more information contact Mr Trevaskis on 4739-1052 or email cristran [AT] bigpond.com.