As part of their election promise, the Government will introduce 14,000 additional weekly services across NSW, announcing the fast-growing area of Chisholm as part of their plans.
After writing to the Minister of Regional Transport and Roads on behalf of Chisholm mother-of-three Sandy Freeman - one of many parents in the area whose family desperately needs improved services, Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison is happy with the Government's response, saying it is a great step forward.
“I’ve been advised by the office of the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads that the NSW Government has made a four-year commitment to introduce 14,000 additional weekly services across NSW, and enhancements to route 189 are part of that commitment,” Ms Aitchison said.
“That election promise is almost a year-and-a-half old now and it’s time for the Minister to deliver.”
Contacting Ms Aitchison in May, Ms Freeman, who is a mother of twins who have special needs, raised concerns that a bus trip required her children to face a long, difficult, distressing and dangerous walk halfway across Harvest Estate after school.
“My children have started at Metford Public School,” Ms Freeman said. “We are not entitled to any drive-to-school funding because their disabilities are not severe enough, and we aren’t funded by the transport subsidy because, as the crow flies, we are too close to the school.
“And that measurement does not take into account that there is a railway line between school and home with no pedestrian access.”
With more time passing from the election, Ms Aitchison pushed forward the case saying the Government had sufficient time to make preparations and the community now demands for action.
“The Government went to the last election promising extra services across the state if they were elected, and Route 189 was one of those listed for additional funding,” Ms Aitchison said.
“Maitland’s incredible growth rate demands that the NSW Government continually monitor and assess available bus services to ensure they are meeting the community’s needs”, she said.
There is no set time period given from the Government as of yet but Ms Aitchison said it is a great step forward to have them agree to get started.
