Petitions submitted against bus changes

A Woy Woy resident has submitted two petitions with more than 200 signatures opposing changes to bus routes near Dunban Rd and Cogra Rd, Woy Woy.

Mr Craig Fitzharris has forwarded a second petition of 108 signatures and numerous letters to Busways and Transport NSW opposing the axing bus services which had operated along Dunban Rd and Cogra Rd for more than 20 years.

Mr Fitzharris said he was disgusted to find that bus routes 56 and 57 would no longer travel down Dunban Rd and Cogra Rd.

The petition and letters requested the reinstatement of the service.

Mr Fitzharris said that many people affected by the changes would have to find alternate ways to travel.

"There are a great number of elderly and vulnerable people who have been adversely affected by these changes.

"I spoke to numerous pensioners who now have to pay $20 or more to catch a taxi to Umina Beach or Woy Woy shops because the bus services no longer run as frequently or as early as they used to," he said.

Mr Fitzharris said Busways and Transport NSW justified their decision by saying that 90 per cent of passengers were within 400m of a bus stop and route 57 has been straightened from Hillview St into Railway St to speed up services to Woy Woy station.

However, Mr Fitzharris claimed he and other commuters had to walk seven to 10 minutes to catch the bus to Woy Woy station.

"From my own experience I am a very fast walker and am able to get to and from these bus stops in seven to 10 minutes.

"I cannot say the same for others, especially the elderly and vulnerable, who I believe will take a great deal longer than myself to walk up to 700m to a more regular serviced bus route," he said.

"Another couple now drive their 85-year-old neighbour from Dunban Rd to Woy Woy station because the bus service has been removed from Dunban Rd."

Mr Fitzharris said community consultation was inadequate in the period that led up to the timetable changes.

"Bus routes 56 and 57 used to run along Hillview St, onto Dunban Rd, along Cogra Rd, along Walford St, onto MacArthur then back into Railway St.

"Now only bus route 57 will run from Hillview St straight onto Railway St.

"How is this an improved service?" said Mr Fitzharris.

The only service that now runs down Cogra Rd and Dunban Rd is route 54.

It only runs between 9:30am and 2:30pm weekdays and does not cater for commuters.

Email, 13 Dec 2010 Craig Fitzharris, Woy Woy