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The Rees Government has abandoned commuters across the State by axing Manly JetCat services, increasing the Harbour Bridge toll, and raising ferry fares as part of its Mini Budget delivered today, said Member for Manly Mike Baird.
“Everything you think this Government should be doing, the Rees Government is doing the opposite – instead of getting people out of their cars, they’re making congestion worse,” Mr Baird said.
Today’s Mini Budget reveals the Rees Government will discontinue the JetCats, raise the Harbour Bridge toll to $4 for peak periods* and increase ferry fares by 50 cents per passenger trip.
“In axing the JetCats they have removed a critical public transport offering and for what’s left they’ve raised the fares – by any measure this is an upside-down government.
“How could any reasoned person axe a public transport service with a 40 year history and then increase the road toll where all the former users will end up because they have no alternative?
“The Treasurer said today the Mini Budget is “focused on improving public transport”, yet his Government has canned the North West Metro, shelved rail projects such as in Carlingford and Erskineville and suspended up to five regional rail services.
“Like every other family in NSW, the residents of Manly are being slammed once again by the mismanagement from this State Government. If anyone ever needed motivation to throw these guys out, this is it.
“We are getting on with the serious work of saving Manly’s fast ferry service. I am pleased to today announce a ‘Fix Our Ferries’ group, which some experts and community representatives have already agreed to join.
“We will meet in the next few days with the immediate goal of getting an interim fast ferry service in place for commuters for when the Government pulls the vessels.
“The operators of the Palm Beach ferry service have already said they can run fast ferries from Manly to Circular Quay that are more reliable, more environmentally friendly and at no cost to taxpayers."
MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880
* The Harbour Bridge toll will increase to $4 (6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday), $3 during shoulder' peak (9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on weekends and public holidays) and $2.50 in off-peak (midnight to 6.30am and 7pm to midnight Monday to Friday and 8pm to 8am weekends and public holidays).
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