Inner West bus stops on the chopping block ahead of Constance’s sell-off scheme

Documents released by Roads and Maritime Services have indicated that the Government may be about to axe over 30 of Sydney’s Inner-West bus stops in attempt to prime them for an upcoming private operator.

35 stops in Marrickville, Camperdown, Petersham, Stanmore and Dulwich Hill could go, as the Submission by RMS only guarantees the safety of a small amount of current stops, and leaves the rest unconfirmed.

Chris Preston, RTBU NSW Bus and Tram Divisional Secretary says “this just proves exactly what we’ve been saying for months. The Government is getting ready to chop bus stops to make these routes more profitable for an upcoming operator.”

“Children and the elderly in particular will be stranded if these bus stops are axed. They rely on their local bus stops being close to their home and removing these stops will put these people in the community in serious danger. The only reason for this is so that a potential upcoming private operator can rip out more money from the Inner West community.”

The Inner West Courier reports that a separate RMS proposal suggests removing stops across Rozelle, Leichhardt, Lilyfield and Camperdown. The RMS also wants to remove dozens of on-street parking spots as part of the proposed changes to five busy bus routes — 412, 422, 423, 426 and 428.

“Privatisation will spell a disaster for residents in the Inner West, who will have their bus stops removed and services cut. The next thing will be fare increases.

“If Andrew Constance and the NSW Government continue the sell off Inner West buses, we know it will come at a serious cost to commuters.

“ReachTel polling conducted in September across various Sydney electorates demonstrates Sydneysiders don’t want their buses privatised, and believe that the parties who benefit from privatisation are the Government and the private operator – not the commuters.

“Over 30,000 people have signed the petition to stop bus privatisation and keep public buses in public hands. Minister Constance needs to listen to the community and stop the sell off immediately.” Mr Preston said.