ILLAWARRA train commuters frustrated by their inability to get a seat on the way home from Sydney during afternoon peak hour are being asked to put pen to paper.
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Commuters have recently used social media to vent their annoyance at the overcrowded 4.24pm express service from Central to Kiama.
Jamberoo dairy farmer Lynne Strong regularly uses this service and tweeted photographs of the crowded train to Member for Kiama Gareth Ward.
“We all want affordable, reliable and comfortable train travel; however most of all we want to feel safe when we travel, particularly on afternoon trains from Central to Kiama,” she said.
Jamberoo resident Dr Tim Billington, 66, works part-time at the University of Wollongong.
“I catch the (4.24pm) train from Wollongong to here (Kiama), and it’s often packed,” he said.
“There isn’t a chance of sitting once the train’s got to Wollongong.
“It is ridiculous that you can’t get a seat.”
On Thursday, in response to concerns Mr Ward launched a petition.
Mr Ward is urging the state government to increase the number of seats and carriages on the 4.24pm service.
“I have raised this issue directly with the NSW Minister for Transport, and I will be making it very clear to the government via this petition that local commuters are desperate to see the service improved by increasing the number of seats and carriages,” he said.
“It’s not something that you often see I suppose from government MPs.
“Regardless of which party is in government, I will always fight for our fair share of improved transport services and better access to services, which is what our community deserves.”
Mr Ward said he had previously caught the 4.24pm service, and would do so again to help gather signatures.
He also vowed to table it in parliament, one page at a time.
“We will keep on being a pain in the arse until we actually get it done.
“I know there are trains rattling around the line that are dramatically under-subscribed.
“Peak hour services will always be in high demand, and this is a peak hour service.
“But standing from Sydney to Wollongong is not acceptable, and I won’t tolerate it.’’
The petition is available from Mr Ward’s electorate office and website.
Transport NSW recently confirmed the new $39-million railway station being built at Dunmore will be known as “Shellharbour Junction”.
It will replace the existing Dunmore (Shellharbour) station.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the decision was no surprise as the government had hijacked the process by putting up signs before a decision had been made.
Mr Ward said the station would be open before the end of 2014.
‘‘Labor of course tried to turn this into a debate about the name, but that’s of course to hide that they don’t want to be exposed for promising the station in 2001 and ten years later not delivering it,” he said.
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