From the Valley Times on December 18th, 2008
By FATIMA MRAD
TRAIN services on the Marrickville line will face cuts following CityRail’s 2009/10 timetable proposal, amid fare increases that will take effect on January 4, 2009.
Canterbury Greens Councillor Linda Eisler raised concerns about the cuts that will take effect mid next year, and moved a motion at Canterbury Council’s last meeting to condemn the new timetable, which has been followed by Marrickville Greens Councillor Cathy Peters.
Last month Marrickville Council wrote to the NSW Transport Minister David Campbell to review and increase services on the Marrickville line among other requested upgrades.
“And now with the draft 2009 timetable, we see no improvement in peak hour services for commuters throughout the area,” Cr Peters said.
The Valley Times reviewed the proposed timetable and revealed one less all-stops service to the city via Bankstown in the morning peak hour between 8 and 9am.
“The Inner West is poorly serviced by CityRail, especially on weekends when a station like Newtown has a service only once every 30 minutes,” Cr Peter said.
Commuter Joe Errey told the Valley Times that her daughter travels from Hurlstone Park to the city each morning, and described the conditions as a hazard. “Trains are already crowded, it’s a real crush. If they cut one service it will be worse,” Ms Errey said.
Cr Peters believes that minimal services along the Inner West line are to blame for the increase in road traffic. “Visitors [and residents] are now forced to use their cars as the rail service is so inadequate,” she said.
Feedback for the draft proposal for services along the Bankstown Line closes on Friday, December 19. Visit cityrail.nsw.gov.au/news/timetable2009_2.jsp.
