State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today move a Notice of Motion in the Legislative Assembly, asking the Minister for Transport to reverse a raft of recent bus stop relocations.
Keolis Downer and Transport for NSW have recently installed new bus stop signage right across the Newcastle Transport network as part of the Wayfinding program. The aim of the program is to provide consistent and and easy-to-follow visual messages which makes it easier for commuters, particularly when changing modes and taking unfamiliar journeys.
As part of the program, Keolis Downer and Transport for NSW have also relocated a number of bus stops, some up to 150m away from their original position. While most have only been moved a matter of metres, for some local residents, they have come home to find that their cars, trailers, boats or caravans are now located in a bus stop and have to be moved.
Keolis Downer and Transport for NSW have failed to undertake any consultation with local residents, Council or the State Member of Parliament.
Ms Hornery will ask the Minister to reverse some of these relocations as they have severely disadvantaged some local residents.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“Here we have another example of Keolis Downer and the Government failing to consult with local residents, the local Councils and my office.”
“They have a ‘we can do whatever we want’ attitude and they don’t care about the consequences of their actions.”
“Some local residents have returned home from work to discover their car, boat, trailer or caravan is suddenly parked in the middle of a bus zone. One resident has a disabled wife and is unable to get her in the car in their driveway, so he has to park in the street and do it that way. Now he has a bus stop outside his home and can no longer park there.”
“Residents are upset that there was no consultation with local residents about the relocation of the bus stops.”
“For some locals, the relocation means they will now be required to find alternatives for their vehicles, which is either outside of a neighbour’s home or in a nearby street. This will undoubtedly create neighbourly tension.”
“The Minister needs to look at reversing some of these relocations until meaningful consultation takes place with affected residents.”