Describing the existing services as “overcrowded” and “a big step backwards” from where services used to be, commuters told the Review that the service had been working well before rail timetables were amended and called for them to be reinstated.
“It’s idiotic. It’s plain crazy. We need a direct service,” said commuter David Mack.
CAMPAIGNERS from the Restore Inner West Line, are warning commuters from nine stations west of Bankstown that they are set to lose all direct trains to the Sydney CBD under the new Metro Southwest (Sydenham to Bankstown conversion).
The nine stations which would be impacted include Berala, Regents Park, Sefton, Chester Hill, Leightonfield, Villawood, Carramar, Birrong and Yagoona.
Commuters using those stations will be forced to interchange at least twice, firstly at Bankstown then Sydenham or Central, to reach the City Circle stations including Wynyard and Circular Quay.
Over the past two weeks, more than 650 residents and commuters have signed petitions and submissions opposing the Metro Southwest plans outside a number of local train stations including at Berala on Wednesday.
The Review spoke with Berala commuters and asked them what they want the State Government to do to improve public transport.
Caroline Staples: “I just want some direct services to the city and they need shorter waiting times between trains. I’ve gone from pushing a stroller as a mother to now pushing a stroller as a grandmother. Pedestrian access at Lidcombe [station] is just awful. The ‘kiss and ride’ area is always overcrowded and there is no safe pedestrian route to the station on the south side. There is no cycleway and no walking path, and if you are pushing a stroller it’s definitely not safe.”
Melissa Hodgson: “We need more direct trains more often. I have to change trains two times to get to my job at Rhodes. I also use the app a lot to check times. When you get here, you have to tap onto the station before you can see a screen to tell you where the train is at. You should be able to check a screen before that. There is a big TV [outside of Woolworths] and it shows ads, why can’t it show train info as well?”
Martin Salaverri: “I’ve been here for 40 years and we have lost services over that time. There are more people than ever here using the shopping centre and medical centre but we have less train services. Why? We have lost direct trains to the city, now you have to change and that’s a big step backwards. Years ago you could park easily at Lidcombe station and now it’s so busy and hard to park to pick someone up. And the development of more big towers is crazy, it will make it worse, no doubt about it.”
Amanda Rossi: “It’s too expensive for one thing. It costs me $10.30 every day to go back and forth to the city, which is a lot compared to what it used to be. I try to get to work super early and leave early so I can avoid the peak payment. I always try to get on the train outside the peak periods just to save a few bucks.”
David Mack: “I’ve lived here since 1969 and we used to have the best trains in Sydney. So what do you do? You quadrupled the population and then take away the train services. It takes me an hour and 10 minutes to travel 18km to the city. It’s idiotic. It’s plain crazy. We need a direct service. They just need to put it back the way it used to be. It wasn’t broken and they didn’t fix anything. Even a few direct trains in peak hour would be worth it.”
Philip Qalulu: “We just want a new train line with more services. It’s a good service but you shouldn’t have to change at all. We just need a train of our own, to be able to catch a train to the city. The station should also be upgraded.”
