New timetable: Grinch gifts commuters longer train trips to work

There’s relief in sight for local commuters who got a raw deal from the new train timetable.

The NSW Labor opposition has promised to review the new timetables in order to make them fairer for Western Sydney commuters.

It will do so if it wins the next election which is due in a little over 15 months.

Both local Labor MPs have backed the plan to try to give commuters a fairer deal.

The Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong says he has seen the frustration and anger firsthand while speaking with commuters at Ingleburn, Minto and Macquarie Fields stations this week.

“The overwhelming response is that these timetable changes are a huge step backwards,” he said.

“Some people are now forced to change trains two or three times to get to work, with up to 40 minutes added onto their already long commutes every day. This is unacceptable.

“People have lined up in the mornings at stations to sign my petition against these unfair changes by the Liberal Government.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We are sick and tired of copping a raw deal from this Government and we’re demanding fairer services for south-west commuters.”[/social_quote]

Since the launch of the new timetable last Sunday, Campbelltown MP Greg Warren’s office has been inundated by complaints from local residents.

People have complained about the cuts to direct train services, fewer express trains, more non-air conditioned trains and long waiting times for connecting trains at Glenfield, resulting in longer journey times.

For example, under the old timetable, a tradesperson needing to arrive at Blacktown before 7am could catch a 5.43am train from Campbelltown station.

Under the new timetable, the same worker now needs Campbelltown at 5.14am – almost half an hour earlier.

“It has become abundantly clear that just about every commuter in Campbelltown is worse off under this new timetable, not better off as the government promised,’’ Mr Warren said.

“The premier called the new timetable an early Christmas present for commuters, but it’s less like Santa Claus and more like the Grinch.

“Local residents have a clear commitment from me and the Labor Party – if Labor wins the next state election, we will review this timetable and make it fairer for Macarthur commuters.”

Under the new timetable released last Sunday by Transport Minister Andrew Constance, all direct services on the T5 Cumberland and T2 Inner West and South lines between Campbelltown and Glenfield have been axed.

Macarthur commuters wishing to travel to destinations along either of these lines are required to change trains at Glenfield – adding significantly to the travel time for many commuters.