311 Bus Doomed – Death by a thousand cuts
March 23rd, 2009The Minister for Transport should intervene and reverse the decision to implement the latest cut to the 311 Bus service in Eastern Sydney. The reduction in the service is the latest in a succession of cuts in this bus route since 2002.
It seems clear to me that the 311 bus service is on the chopping block following the elimination of the Elizabeth Bay loop from the route in this latest review of Sydney bus services. The 311 is the only public transport service in Elizabeth Bay which also happens to be the most densely populated district in Sydney.
This latest reduction in service follows cuts to the frequency in the bus from 20 minute to 30 minute intervals in 2002. This was followed by a further service deterioration in 2006 when weekend and evening services were hacked by 35 services per week and travellers had a 45 minute wait between buses.
This gradual reduction in the frequency, coverage and reliability in the 311 bus will not encourage increased patronage of the service. On the contrary, it will become an increasingly less attractive transport option. Many of the residents in this area are elderly and rely on this bus service.
The original proposal floated for the reduced 311 service included the elimination of the railway square section of the route. But hostile submissions from bus users caused a rethink by bus planners. However, the fact that such drastic cuts were even proposed gives a clue to the long term plans for the 311 service.
It really is death by 1000 cuts for this important bus service. And this is at a time when the Government should be encouraging people to use public transport. Many Elizabeth Bay residents will be very disappointed by this decision.
As an aside, it is interesting that the local member, Clover Moore, has been claiming some sort of victory over the latest review of the 311 bus. Her media spin is contrasted by the reality that over a seven year period the service has been cut from a frequent 20 minute service to one that is less frequent, is less reliable and doesn’t even go to the most populous part of her electorate. Some victory Clover!
The Greens will continue to argue for increased spending on and an expansion of public transport facilities throughout all Sydney communities.
Photo: Councillor Harris with an Elizabeth Bay resident who died waiting for the 311 bus
Below is a link to the story as it appeared on page 6 of The City News on March 19
