Transport Minister Campbell has said that “he can’t wait to see trains running on the new railway track”.  After eight years and $344 million there would be many Shire train travellers feeling exactly the same way said Cronulla MP, Malcolm Kerr. 

The Cronulla line duplication has been the subject of eight years of Labor promises and has increased from a cost of $106 million in 2003 to the current $344 million, a blowout of 225%.

Despite the Ministerial fanfare over the new Cronulla line timetable, the promised additional trains were less than what long awaiting commuters are entitled to expect.

Tthe promised express trains from Cronulla to the city are hardly express with only four stops less than the current service Mr Kerr said

It is most disappointing that this massive expenditure will see only one additional afternoon peak service, one express train from the city to Cronulla departing Town Hall at 5.13 pm.

‘Cronulla line travellers wanting to get home would know that PM services from the city are already overcrowded with passengers at Central and Redfern experiencing great difficulty in getting on trains that fill up at Town Hall’ Mr Kerr said.

The Minister has announced that commuters can provide feedback on the new timetable until 14 March on the 131 500 line or by completing a form on CityRail’s website. 

“The Minister is paying lip service to community consultation as the timetable is only available on posters at railway stations and on the internet’

‘Not everyone has or wants access to the internet.  If the Government is serious about receiving feedback it would make the process easier and provide printed copies of the timetable similar to the one Minister Campbell was displaying in his photo opportunity on the front page of the St George Leader.

Mr Kerr also questioned December 2010 as the date for final introduction of the timetable.

‘This is ten months away and represents almost another year’s wait for long suffering commuters’

Finally Mr Kerr said that the Minister in his self congratulatory announcement had failed to tell the public that they would be grossly inconvenienced by major line shutdowns in March and April this year.

‘This includes no trains running between Cronulla and Sutherland on the Easter long weekend and April school holidays’

‘The Government seems to love doing trackwork on holiday periods when people want to spend time with family and friends’

‘In view of previous fiascos, when the line must be closed for works and maintenance the public should be amply forewarned so that they can make alternative travel plans, particularly in important times such as Easter’