By all accounts it’s going to be a long, hot summer.
But there could be a reprieve for long suffering local train commuters forced to travel in non air conditioned carriages to get to work and back.
Commuters on the T8, T2 and T5 lines were forced onto even more obsolete S-set trains without air conditioning after the implementation of a new timetable in November last year.
This made a bad situation worse, but a local MP has a suggestion which could reverse the fortunes of these commuters.
With the new Waratah trains due into service soon, and the closure of the Epping-Chatswood line for seven months, Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong has called on the Berejiklian Government to act urgently to rectify the situation by redeploying the air conditioned trains to local lines.
He has written to transport minister Andrew Constance over non air conditioned trains, demanding that his constituents be given a fair go.
The call comes in the lead-up to what is predicted to be one of the hottest summers on record and is in direct response to constituent complaints of sweltering conditions on trains over many years.
“I have this message for the NSW transport minister – non air conditioning trains are unbearable, unacceptable and unfair,’’ Mr Chanthivong said.
“Local commuters have tolerated trains without air conditioning for too long.
“I have written to the NSW Transport Minister on behalf of the thousands of commuters from my electorate who’ve had enough of the sweltering and stifling conditions on our trains.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“People should not have to travel in carriages as hot as ovens to get to and from work each day.[/social_quote]
“I call on the Liberal Government to act now and give us air conditioned trains on the T8, T2 and T5 lines.
“It’s time we were given our fair share and a fair go.”
Mr Chanthivong says his call for air conditioned trains follows an ongoing campaign for a fairer timetable, with local commuters angry and frustrated at daily last-minute train cancellations, trains running consistently late and overcrowded carriages.
To view a copy of his letter to the NSW transport minister, or to sign a petition demanding fairer services for local commuters, visit www.letsbackanoulack.com.
A few extra carriages on the Parramatta trains wouldn’t hurt either
Daniel Mallett lel
We pay the same travel rates as the other T lines and get second rate transport. NSW transport have a lot to answer for. They increase the fares and decrease the service. How does that make any sense!
There should be NO non-air conditioned trains in NSW period. We have long commutes, and crowded trains. It’s about time we were treated as equal, instead of second class citizens. As basically that’s how this current NSW government is treating the people of South West Sydney and Western Sydney. We need ALL trains to be air conditioned. We need more trains in peak hour and/or more carriages. We need free multi level car parks at each station. That is our rights as citizens of NSW. The government wants people to commute by public transport. It’s allowed high density living along the train lines. Now it needs to deliver to the people of South Western Sydney, and Western Sydney better service, and infrastructure.