Public Transport Challenges in Mount Druitt
Public transport in Mount Druitt and its surrounding suburbs is a persistent issue for many residents. Godwin Eddie Bognet, a local resident, highlights the frustrations of using public transport due to infrequent and unreliable services. While he would prefer to use public transport to save on fuel costs, the current system does not support this.
“The timetable says public transport buses come every half an hour. The experience actually has not necessarily been so,” Mr. Bognet said. His family tries to use public transport when possible, but community commitments often require a car. For instance, he provides lifts for his church’s youth group on Mondays, a task that has become increasingly difficult due to rising fuel prices.
Fuel Costs and Financial Strain
Fuel prices have significantly impacted residents’ budgets. Unleaded 91 has increased by 40 cents per litre at Mr. Bognet’s local petrol station in the last month. “I’m just putting in as much as I can [afford] at the moment,” he said. This financial strain affects not only personal expenses but also community activities, such as transportation for religious groups.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Brunting noted that residents in Mount Druitt are sacrificing leisure activities to afford fuel. “It’s tough. People living in Mount Druitt, [a] low socio-economic environment there, they rely heavily on good public transport and, when it’s not there, it’s get in the car, it’s spend the money on this [fuel],” he said.
High Cancellation Rates and Service Issues
Research from the University of Sydney, 2770 Collective, and Sydney Alliance revealed that bus cancellations in Mount Druitt and surrounding areas are five times higher than the Sydney average. The Transport Equity 2770 report found that public transport in the 2770 postcode area fails to meet community needs and exacerbates existing disadvantages.
Residents in the area tend to have lower personal incomes and are less likely to be formally employed, with a higher proportion of dwellings without a car. “The really frustrating thing is that the government is actually spending money on facilities in Mount Druitt, which is really great,” said University of Sydney urban geography professor Kurt Iveson. “But they’re not backing it up with the transport that they need to get people there and make this stuff accessible.”
Transport for NSW rejected the report’s findings, stating that operational data showed bus cancellation rates in the region were “significantly better than the Sydney average.”
Personal Experiences and Accessibility Issues
Rosalie Bozaniz, a Whalan pensioner, shared her stressful experiences with public transport. She waited for two hours for the 758 service to a weekend podiatry appointment, but it never arrived. “I was getting pretty shitty, angry, agitated,” she said. Ms. Bozaniz values her independence but finds long waits and complicated routes challenging.
The Transport Equity 2770 research found 21% of services had a wait time of one hour or longer. No services in the area met the standard 15-minute frequency for a good service network. The 758 service also has complex route variations, making it hard for residents to understand.
On-Demand Bus Services and Community Solutions
One proposed solution to improve public transport in the area is on-demand bus services, such as those available in the Inner West, North West, and Northern Beaches. John Harris, a pensioner with emphysema, relies on taxis to reach a shopping centre, paying up to $80 for a round-trip. During tight weeks, he pays a neighbor $20 for a trip to the shops and then takes a taxi home.
“I want to pay something towards his petrol,” Mr. Harris said. He feels “annoyed” about having to pay $60-$80 a trip when the gold opal card available for seniors is capped at $2.50 per day. “I could jump on a train and go to Katoomba and come back, jump on another and go to Newcastle and come back, all in one day for $2.50,” he said.
Calls for Shuttle and Metro Extensions
The Transport Equity 2770 report suggested a community shuttle bus, similar to one in Wollongong, could help residents connect with vital services and infrastructure. Professor Iveson emphasized the importance of such services. “A community shuttle bus would allow residents to connect with one another, and to connect with vital services and infrastructure located in Mount Druitt town centre.”
Cr. Bunting advocated for the Sydney Metro to extend to St Marys, arguing that stopping at a major network like that at another railway station is “absolutely crazy.” He believes an extension through St Marys would greatly benefit the community.
Future Improvements and Investment
Transport for NSW stated there is continued investment in improved and reliable services in the area. A new bus route commencing in July will link Mt Druitt Station to Western Sydney International Airport (the 772), providing connectivity to precincts including suburbs like St Clair.
Dr. Iveson stressed the importance of public transport improvements for the area’s residents. “It does really feel like folks in some of these areas are already right at the edge,” he said. “Interest rates are going up … petrol prices are going up. In an ideal world, you would be able to hop on public transport instead of driving to defray those costs — but I don’t think people have got a choice.”
