Success of a second airport relies on good public transport planning and investment

A second airport at Badgerys Creek will only be successful if state and federal governments commit to a sizeable investment in public transport and an integrated public transport plan for Sydney’s West said the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union today.

RTBU State Secretary Alex Claassens said while the second airport was an important piece of infrastructure for Sydney, it would only work if public transport was a key plank of its delivery.

“Badgerys Creek airport must be adequately serviced by fast, affordable and reliable public transport to and from the city and throughout Sydney’s west.

“Building an airport from scratch means both state and federal governments have a real opportunity to get the transport right from the start.

“Making public transport a viable option for airline travellers will reduce the potential for the new airport to compound the already congested roads of western Sydney.

“Getting this part of the planning wrong will result in further traffic chaos and mayhem.

“The mooted extension of the Leppington line is not a viable option as a link to the city – other options need to be scoped and considered.

“A fast train to the city and integrated bus services from key western Sydney locations both need to be part of a plan which caters for the transport needs of people travelling to the airport from all over the western, southern and inner city suburbs.

“The package which is still being thrashed out between the NSW and Commonwealth governments must include enough capital for scoping the best integrated transport options and funding for transport infrastructure.”

Mr Claassens encouraged state and federal governments to convene a roundtable with all relevant stakeholders to explore the airport transport challenges and provide the government with ideas for an integrated public transport solution.

“We need to learn the lessons from such disasters as the Sydney Airport Link. Outsourcing the operation of that line to the private sector has meant commuters are put off by the cost and as a consequence roads in and out of Sydney Airport are clogged.

“We need to make public transport an attractive alternative and the only way to do that is by investing in fast and affordable public transport services and intrastucture.”