NSW Gov invest $133M for public transport access

The NSW Budget 2018 has set aside $133 million for the Public Transport Access Program, which includes lifts, ramps and footbridges for at least 11 more train stations.

The funding brings the total amount of spending for the NSW Government on public transport since 2011 to more than $2 billion ad aims to make more than 90 per cent of customer journeys accessible.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state government had delivered or begun work on more than 450 improvements to train stations, ferry wharves, car parks, interchanges and bike sheds.

“We are committed to making public transport accessible for customers with a disability, less mobile customers or customers using a pram and that is why this Budget includes funding to upgrade accessibility to at least 11 more stations across the State,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The funding in NSW Budget 2018 will allow planning for accessibility upgrades at North Strathfield, Kingswood, Hazelbrook, Wyee, Blayney, Mittagong, Clarendon, Hawkesbury River, Wahroonga, Taree, Roseville and further progression of Glenbrook, Beecroft, Millthorpe and Como stations.

This is in addition to 31 new stations the NSW Government aims to build for the Sydney Metro network.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the budget and Transport Access Program puts people first.

“The investment in the Transport Access Program is about making life easier for people in the community to access public transport,” Mr Perrottet said.

A further $882 million will be invested in the Transport Access Program over the forward estimates to create better transport interchanges and build car parks.

NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said the government now has 173 of the 307 stations on the suburban and intercity networks accessible.

“This means that approximately 90 per cent of customer trips across the network are now accessible,” he said.