State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today debate a Notice of Motion urging the Minister for Transport and Keolis Downer to listen and look at the impact that some of the network changes have made and make some changes to improve the lives of people in the Wallsend electorate.
In previous weeks, the Minister has announced that services are being reviewed and has made some announcements but Keolis Downer will not release the changes of the network until late June.
What is of most concern, is the Minister did not mention any changes for the Wallsend electorate.
Ms Hornery has raised concerns that the review, which has now been completed, will lead to further cuts to services to the western suburbs and no changes to the issues that commuters have been raising.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“I don’t mention these problems and I don’t continue to hammer them home because I like the sound of my own voice. I continually raise these issues because many of my constituents relied on these services. Many of them have had to make enormous changes to their routines as a result.”
“From what I have been told by people working closely on the review, there are going to be cuts to services from Wallsend to Newcastle.”
“I have also been advised that despite bringing to the attention of the Minister and Keolis Downer the concerns of thousands of residents, all of the small changes that should be made to improve the service will be ignored when changes are announced next month.”
“Residents in parts of Shortland will still not be able to get to their nearest major shopping centre at Jesmond without going to Wallsend and changing buses.”
“This is making life more difficult for the elderly and people living with a disability who have been left without adequate transport options.”
“I don’t want a complete reversion to the old routes and timetables. I am happy to admit that there have been some improvements to services.”
“The Minister keeps telling us he is listening. Last week when I was raising the concerns of the more than 10,000 people who signed my petition, the Minister walked out before I had even started talking.”
“I just want the Minister to listen and look at the impact that some of the network changes have made and make some changes to improve the lives of people in the Wallsend electorate.”