Newcastle Inner City Bypass On Track, Transport NSW Releases Project Update

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Transport for NSW has released a project update for stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass between Jesmond and Rankin Park.

The design for the bypass is continuing to be refined, in response to community feedback, with a number of changes to the proposed northern and southern interchanges.

The main road works are expected to go out to tender in early 2021 and early works to relocate services such as water and gas mains and electricity wires and poles are set to begin later this year, particularly around the southern end of the Bypass.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery says the changes shouldn't make a huge difference to commuters. 

"The time frame remains the same, we're still looking at 3.54 kilometres of divided road," Ms Hornery said. 

"If you have any questions about the road, or you'd like more information you can contact the project team on 1800 818 433. Or you can visit the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct website for more information as well." 

Changes to Southern Interchange

Changes to Northern Interchange

Safety Report Bans Cyclists from Scott Street

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Cyclists have been banned from riding on the 350 meter mixed running section of the Newcastle light rail track on Scott Street, following a safety review released by Transport New South Wales.

The review has raised the risk-rating of cyclists tyres getting caught in the tracks to "intolerable", an upgrade from the findings of initial safety audits which deemed the risk as "medium or high".

The report recommends eight actions to be completed within the next twelve months to improve safety including,"installing appropriate signage to warn cyclists of the risk" and for "Transport NSW to work with the City of Newcastle to provide alternate routes."

Transport NSW has said they will additionally investigate emerging technologies which could be trialed to increase safety.

Following the death of cyclist, Danny Egan in July this year, calls have been made to rapidly improve safety for cyclists in Newcastle's CBD.

Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp is calling on the Liberal Government to prioritize the funding and building of a safe east-west route for cyclists.

"In the immediate sense getting people off that cycle way is legitimate, however they need to put the resources and the time into working with council to get a solution as soon as possible for the East-West cycle way," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"It simply not good enough to take them off then not provide money and fund the East-West cycle way."

Mr Crakanthorp says the State Government failed to consider cyclists in their revitalization of the CBD.

"They made a public image of lots of cycle ways, but they didn't put any money into any. We don't have any effectively, and tragically people are getting injured and we've even had someone die," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"People were breaking their bones and people were falling of bikes, according to the report they weren't registered however it was certainly in the public sphere and the Government have acted too little too late."

    Image Source: Lakes Mail

NSW Transport Reform Proposal

BY ALICE PEART

In documents released under Freedom of Information Laws, the state government has proposed a reform program for NSW transport to prevent cost blowouts over the next decade.

The release of the documents comes amidst existing concerns over the continuing reduction of services by private operator Keolis Downer in the Hunter.

The proposed changes would see fare hikes, the sale of state-owned properties and an overhaul of road levies and taxes to recoup billions of dollars in annual savings.

The savings attempt to address the projected nearly $4 billion needed annually from the state government by 2028.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling on the government to be transparent about the reform program which she says raises significant questions about the future of public transport in the Hunter.

Response Still Lukewarm Following Newcastle Bus Change

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle's updated bus and ferry timetable is being met with criticism, following private transport operator Keolis Downer's unveiling this morning.

The updated timetable includes improvements to routes like the 14 between Swansea and the Newcastle, restoring a direct link into the CBD. 

Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said those in her electorate are relieved they no longer have to jump aboard three buses to reach the city, however believes long journey times are still posing an inconvenience. 

The Swansea to Newcastle link departing at 7:56am now takes 87 minutes to reach its destination.

"It now takes longer to get from Swansea Heads to Newcastle than it did before Keolis Downer introduced the new network," Ms Catley said. 

"That's just not good enough," she continued, "it is not incentivising people to use public transport and at the end of the day, that's supposed to be our objective - getting cars off the roads and bums on seats on buses." 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery accused Keolis Downer of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' in providing vital services to Lake Macquarie but reducing services within her electorate. 

"Not only were no changes made in parts of North Lambton, Lambton and Shortland, but now we will see reduced services to Wallsend as part of the refinements," Ms Hornery said. 

Meanwhile, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is disappointed the July 29 refinements will mark the loss of 92 ferry services, made up of 10 cuts on weekends and 21 throughout the week. 

"When ferry patronage is the only form of transport increasing," he said, "why would you cut services?" 

In a tweet, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce said it's disappointing no buses have been restored to travel down Beaumont Street. 

However, Corporate Affairs Director for Keolis Downer, Andrew Fletcher, said the changes come as a direct result of community feedback. 

"We've received over 2500 pieces of community feedback and we've analysed over 90,000 trips," he said, "changes like the direct connection for House With No Steps at Lambton address the bulk of concerns and make for a more efficient network." 

Mr Fletcher said Keolis Downer would double their efforts to make sure commuters were aware of which routes to take amid the shake-up. 

"From today, people will be able to study the new timetables applying to buses, school and ferry services," he said. 

An overview of the refinements along with updated network maps and timetables is available here.

Community drop-in sessions will be held by the network operator at the following locations:

Swansea Centre 228 Pacific Highway Swansea Monday 9 July 2018 4pm to 6pm.

Lake Macquarie Tavern 66 Wilsons Road Mount Hutton Tuesday 10 July 2018 4pm to 5.30pm.

The Place, Charlestown Frederick St, Charlestown Wednesday 11 July 2018 4pm to 6pm.

Parliamentary Secretary defends seating plan for new train fleet

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The Hunter's Parliamentary Secretary says criticisms levelled at the seating arrangements on forthcoming new inter-city trains are unwarranted and a year late.

NSW Labor today questioned why half the seats on the new fleet won't be reversible, leaving some passengers riding backwards and sparking concerns about motion sickness.

Despite being popular with commuters, transport officials decided against ordering them in the new trains after it was found they are more complex, heavier and need more maintenance than fixed seats - and they also posed a greater fire risk.

Scot MacDonald said it is unbelievable Labor have apparently only just now looked at the designs, which were released over a year ago.

"These designs for the seating plan have been out for over a year," he said, "it's taken 12 months for the Labor Party to get around to what's been put out on the Transport NSW website and by the media, and then come up with an opinion."

He said current NSW trains are in dire need of a refresh, which is what commuters will be getting.

"These are far better carriages - they've got wider seats, they've got armrests, they've got charging stations...they look fresh and modern with clean lines," Mr MacDonald said.

The Parliamentary Secretary said he's spoken to the community and received positive feedback for the plans.

"When I handed pamphlets with design information out to people using the [inner city trains] as they are now...people were saying 'bring it on.'

Latest information from the state government indicates the new fleet will begin trials in May 2019 and will be progressively rolled-out after that.

Artist's impression of the new train interiors. 

Bus woes inspire huge community response at public meeting

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

"FIX OUR BUSES, FIX OUR BUSES." 

That was the sound resonating from the thousand-strong crowd at the Belmont 16 Footers yesterday, as community members gathered to protest the new Newcastle bus network. 

State Opposition Leader, Luke Foley joined Hunter MPs who addressed the crowd, calling for a state review of the privatised network. 

The meeting represents a culmination of weeks of commuter complaints to network operator Keolis Downer, and hundreds of letters sent to the Transport Minister from Hunter MPs on behalf of disappointed constituents. 

At the beginning of February, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery made representations on behalf of Callaghan College students' families after the 870 service failed to pick up students from the school, leaving parents forced to leave work early to get their children. 

Keolis Downer Operator Mark Dunlop said the incident was a one-off event and he'd apologised to Callaghan College officials, however, Ms Hornery said the 870 was just "one example of a broader issue with the Newcastle bus timetable." 

Later in February, Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp described the network as "chaos," telling Transport Minister Andrew Constance that around 100 disabled workers at Hamilton's Access Industries are struggling to get to work after direct routes were cut from the timetable. 

The fight headed to parliament last week, as a Notice of Motion initially moved in September last year was considered; however, debate swept off course as a number of MPs began discussing Sydney roads and railways.

Fix Our Buses: the crowd at Belmont 16 Footers raise placards calling out Andrew Constance. Image: Jodie Harrison MP. 

Last night's community meeting comes after Keolis Downer yesterday released new Opal card data, revealing promising results for "key routes." 

High customer patronage was recorded on services in popular areas such as Charlestown, where the service to Queens Wharf recorded a 35% increase in patronage, while the Glendale to Newcastle service experienced a huge jump of 70% since new routes were introduced last month. 

It's this high patronage which is being put forward as a sign of encouragement for Transport NSW, as the state government say it's too early to conduct a system-wide review.

That's the message coming from Keolis Downer too, as Mark Dunlop believes commuters need to allow time for the network to "settle" before casting aspersions on the system which has delivered 1200 extra services to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie residents.

No state government or Keolis Downer representatives were invited to the public meeting last night, and disgruntled community members chanted "FIX OUR BUSES" as Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald took to the stage.

He says it's disappointing both sides of the issue were not presented.

"I was disappointed not to be invited formally," Scot MacDonald said today, "I turned up after asking, and was eventually 'allowed' to go, so to speak," he said, "I also offered to bring a representative from Keolis Downer to the meeting- that offer was not taken up.

"I think that was a missed opportunity. We could've heard from the people who designed the routes and heard what they're trying to do, and of course they could have taken feedback.

"Nevertheless," Mr MacDonald continued, "I'm not going to criticise the room for being very forthright...people went to the trouble of attending the meeting so I respect that."

The Parliamentary Secretary said there was "a lot of emotion" at the meeting as personal stories were shared, and he's happy to have heard it.

"Look, we've got work to do," Mr MacDonald said, "There was a call for review and I think it's a little bit early for that- we're only 4 or 5 weeks into the new system, but I think it's a reasonable request to keep looking into this and perhaps have a revue further down the track."

"I've since had the opportunity to convey some of those feelings to our Transport Minister and Premier...this is just the start of it."

BREAKING! Fair Work Overrules RTBU Strike

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

In good news for Hunter commuters, a statewide planned stoppage to rail services on Monday will not go ahead.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union has been brought to its knees by a decision of the Fair Work Commission to ban Monday's strike- industrial action has been suspended for six weeks' time.

The Commission has justified the decision by considering the detrimental effects of a complete stoppage on the NSW economy, as government lawyers argued it could cost the state between $50 to $90 million as people struggle to get to work, school or anywhere else.

Utter chaos was experienced in the Sydney CBD today as commuters packed onto intercity trains running at a weekend frequency.

Fair Work believed if a ban on overtime hours could create such havoc, a total stoppage could endanger the population and grind productivity to a halt.

After joining talks between the RTBU and Transport Minister Andrew Constance today, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told reporters at Martin Place she's confident that, with the Commission's decision, the government will now be able to put the needs of the community first.

"I want to send the strongest message to the Rail Union and all NSW unions that we have a strong wages policy in place and we will continue to adhere to that policy moving forward," Ms Berejiklian said.

2NURFM News spoke to RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens yesterday, who slammed Transport Minister Andrew Constance's role in negotiations.

"In my experience (and I've worked under a lot of transport ministers) most of them have been conciliatory and understood the pressure we're all under...most of them have always agreed to sit down and talk about it. This guy's not prepared to."

Amidst the Union and media scrutiny, Premier Berejiklian today defended Andrew Constance's handling of the fiasco, expressing her gratitude to him.

Packed like sardines: a Sydney train during today's overtime ban.