State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, is calling on the Wallsend electorate to have their say on the direction of the newly privatised Newcastle Transport network.
Keolis Downer have advised that there will be no major changes to services in 2017 with buses and ferries continuing to operate on the existing timetables.
Newcastle Transport are starting to focus on planning a new bus and ferry network, to be rolled out in January 2018.
The community now has the opportunity to provide feedback on the current network to inform future network design.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“Public transport has always been an issue on the outer fringe and it is important that Wallsend residents have their say on the future of the transport network.”
“While I welcome the opportunity for the community to have input in the process, it is extremely disappointing that Keolis Downer has limited the way in which people can have their say.”
“Many residents in the Wallsend electorate are not tech savvy and can’t get online to have their say, nor can the residents from the far reaches of the electorate easily get to the centre of Newcastle to talk face to face.”
“There are a number of ways the community can now have their say, via the website at www.newcastletransport.info and the digital engagement tool Social Pinpoint, or face to face at The Newcastle Transport Hub at 152 Hunter Street, Newcastle, or via the Newcastle Transport Facebook page.”
“For residents who cannot get online or cannot get to the centre of Newcastle to have their say, they can contact my office and let us know what they would like in the new transport network and I will make sure their voice is heard.”