In a shock development this morning, the state government has begun ripping up the Newcastle rail line.
The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, confirmed to NBN News this morning that workers had begun the process of removing rail infrastructure from the corridor.
Meantime, the minister also announced a tender for a new operator for Newcastle buses, ferries and future light rail.
He says a drop in patronage means the government has to think outside the box.
“If we want Newcastle to reach its potential, we need to create a modern and connected system that links light rail with frequent and reliable buses, ferries and trains.
“In an Australian first, we’ve put out a call to the best transport operators around the world to tell us how they could partner with the city to deliver a modern network for the city”, he said.
A process has begun to determine a potential operator.
The state government will consider options at the end of the year.
BREAKING Work begins on ripping up the heavy rail at Wickham @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/xJ3MJlbZ3I
— Emma Murphy (@emurphynbn) November 4, 2015
To9 look outside the box is quite easy. to fix the bus problem, during non rush hours run mini buses, as patronage at the time is very low. only use the big buses at peak time. simple fix.
How is this a Shock Development?
Transient government & developers run down then rip up our hard fought for transport system. Then go to the world for a solution? Very sick plot. I suspect Sydney just needs another China town & Newcastle is it ! We all know you cant build high rise on mine subsidence . So our protected train transport route is the choice of developers to build a new castle ? Meanwhile the people of our region have it stolen from under them.
Shock horror, the Liberals showing their distain for Newcastle. What a corrupt bunch NIMBY’s.
Liberals, hating Australians, a new way, everyday!
There is too much invested interest in Newcastle. When this was initially proposed, they convinced everyone living around Mereweather and the Hill that ripping up the trainline will eliminate the unwanted element (failing to realise that with the beach, people will still go in, and just get stuck without public transport to return home).
And despite the ridiculous amount of neglected and abandoned buildings, a lot of sneaky and powerful people have their eye on redeveloping Newcastle (because you can never have enough empty shop spaces and overpriced apartments.)
Combine that with the corruption of Newcastle Council’s administration, and we are going to lose everything that made Newcastle a functioning city eventually – just look at Hunter St Mall.
“In an Australian first, we’ve put out a call to the best transport operators around the world to tell us how they could partner with the city to deliver a modern network for the city”
What and unbelievable statement this is ….if ripping up a perfectly good railway corridor was the answer to good public transport for a city the size of Newcastle (and I am not suggesting it is) then I would have thought the government and its planners would have already put the call out to transport operators long before this to have something developed and ready to role out for the citizens of Newcastle.
It just goes to show what money, greed and short sightedness can do for a community by a government who is in bed with the developers. Unfortunately the real story has not come out as yet and when it does it will be to late.
“In an Australian first, we’ve put out a call to the best transport operators around the world to tell us how they could partner with the city to deliver a modern network for the city”, he said.
What if they reply a heavy rail link to Sydney would solve all the current problems ?
The unwanted element tend to reside around those areas Jane. I lived in Bar Beach and had more trouble in 1 year there than 10 in Mayfield.
So….in “the rush”, all the mini buses are sitting there, unused. At other times all the big buses are sitting there, unused. So twice as many buses need to be bought, and extra room to accommodate them. Twice as many buses, tyres, spare parts…… oh dear, not too well thought out at all