Why the senseless burning of fossil fuels and pollution of our lovely neighbourhood?
The three transit bus services 301, 302 and 303 were introduced in late 2018 through the suburb of Waterloo, Sydney.
These buses have been nearly empty for more than two years of operation. Before Covid we requested data on patronage through the Freedom of Information Act and saw that on average five to 10 people were on a bus with capacity for 65.
We are surrounded by three major transit corridors – Botany, Elizabeth and McEvoy, which in the future will become Westconnex. According to transport planning principles, transit buses should be sent along these major corridors and not along the few remaining quiet pockets in the neighbourhood.
Now we have a bus crossing at intervals of five to 10 minutes like on Central Station. We observe that the buses are nearly always empty – especially in late hours and on weekends. Imagine the senseless burning of fossil fuel and the cost to taxpayers.
We complained to the Premier of NSW with requests to reduce the frequency of the trips or the size of the buses or to send electric buses. The Minister for Transport was irritated by our second letter and implied in his reply that the state government and Transport for NSW have more important matters to attend to and that they will not change anything.
In the previous reply, the Minister referred to the Green Square precinct (I am not sure what the connection is) and the Waterloo Metro as one reason for the buses. Does this mean they are going to burn fuel for nothing for four years before the station is open? Twice my Mum caught the 301 and was the only person on the bus to Matraville during the journey of over one hour!
Another matter is the planning for Waterloo redevelopment: we should provide input so they don’t plan major routes through our quiet streets.
A little shuttle bus perhaps once per hour would suffice for the local ladies to go shopping. We don’t need these transit monsters – perhaps the community can help stop them?
Svetlana Rodgers
Waterloo
