A PETITION aiming to alleviate the concerns of train commuters frustrated by their inability to get a seat on the way home from Sydney during afternoon peak hour has been acknowledged by the state's Transport Minister.
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Commuters recently expressed annoyance at the overcrowded 4.24pm express service from Central to Kiama.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward recently launched a petition urging the state government to increase the number of seats.
During his parliamentary speech, Mr Ward said the service had more passengers than seats and that he had passed on regular complaints to Mrs Berejiklian and Transport for NSW.
"The 4.24pm Central to Kiama service makes a sardine can look spacious.
"While I appreciate that there will be fluctuations in demand for various services, I have never had such a consistent stream of complaints as I have with this service."
"I have faithfully referred all complaints to Transport for NSW and the minister.
Kiama resident Milton Gaynor, 56, commutes between Kiama and Sutherland. He usually catches the 4.27pm train from Sutherland home, and sometimes doesn't get a seat until Helensburgh.
He occasionally catches the service which leaves Central at 4.24pm.
"The government wants more people on the train, but isn't doing [commuters] any favours by not putting eight carriages on trains at peak times, which is 4pm-6pm," he said.
He said although the mornings on the train were "pretty good", he described his overall commuting experience as "less than average".
Mrs Berejiklian said Mr Ward's concerns had not fallen on deaf ears.
"Overall results show the new timetable is working well, but I have committed to look closely at the 4.24pm service."
Labor Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson said Mr Ward "talks the talk but never walks the walk".
"Gareth Ward has failed in two Parliamentary Question Times this week to ask the Minister for Transport a single question on her failure to provide extra train carriages on the 4.24pm Central to Kiama service," she said.
Mr Ward rebuffed the claims, saying he had already met with the Minister to discuss the matter, and would do so again.