Buses are a vital element of metropolitan Sydney’s public transport. However, Sydney’s network of more than 20,000 bus stops leaves a lot to be desired.
While buses account for 37% of public transport trips across NSW, bus shelters — basic infrastructure that protects commuters from the elements — are woefully inadequate, particularly in Western Sydney, where summer temperatures can soar over 9°C higher than in the east.
“WSROC is urging the New South Wales Government to heed the recommendations of its own recent Parliamentary upper house inquiry into the Future Public Transport Needs of Western Sydney, including the urgent need to fund thousands of new bus shelters across the city with a particular focus on Western Sydney,” said WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert.
“This is especially concerning for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, who face serious health risks from extreme heat.
“Yet, even though bus services are largely operated by private companies or by the NSW Government, it’s left to local councils to foot the bill for bus shelters.
“This is a blatant example of cost-shifting, with local ratepayers essentially being forced to subsidise large, profit-making private transport businesses or the operations of NSW government buses.
“Why should the residents of Western Sydney, who are already grappling with extreme heat and substandard infrastructure, bear the cost of providing basic public transport amenities?
A recent study conducted by national advocacy group ‘Sweltering Cities’, the Busted Bus Stops report revealed glaring problems with Western Sydney’s bus network, including:
• More than 60% of 105 bus stops mapped in the new growth area around Schofields in the north-west had no shelter, shade or seating.
• Almost 70% of 596 bus stops mapped in and around Penrith, where temperatures have reached over 50°C in summer, had no shelter, shade or seating.
• In comparison, in the inner-west suburbs of Strathfield, Ashfield and Summer Hill, over 65% of 101 bus stops mapped had seating and shade or shelter..
“It's time for the NSW Government to step up and fund the thousands of new bus shelters Western Sydney urgently needs,” said Councillor Calvert.
“Overturned milk crates with no shading will not do as ‘public transport infrastructure’ in Western Sydney,” he said.
