A new bus lane to ease traffic congestion on Condamine Street is good news for commuters, however it is a drop in the ocean compared to what needs to be done to improve public transport on the Peninsula, said Manly MP Mike Baird.

“The RTA’s announcement today that a third southbound lane will be built for buses between Pittwater Road and Campbell Parade on Condamine Street is welcome news,” Mr Baird said.

“Condamine Street is a busy thoroughfare for Northern Beaches motorists and there’s no doubt they will appreciate an additional 1.5 kilometres of bus lane.

“However, it’s a token effort unless it is part of a comprehensive plan to improve public transport on the Peninsula.

“Every morning Manly commuters stand at bus stops watching full buses whiz by, and every morning people waiting to catch the JetCat miss out because it’s full.

“People don’t want to sit in their cars in bumper-to-bumper traffic each morning but at the moment public transport is not an option.

“Our own polling shows the majority of people would leave their car at home if a bus could get them from Manly to the city in 20 minutes.”

Mr Baird said after seeing how effectively dedicated bus lanes transported commuters around Brisbane, he asked the Minister for Transport Mr John Watkins to investigate it as an option for the Northern Beaches.

“A public transport expert surveyed the Northern Beaches and found a Bus Rapid Transit system could reduce travel time to the city by 40%, so we asked Mr Watkins to conduct a feasibility study. These calls have been ignored.

“We are moving ahead on our own plan to fix Spit congestion – the core of which is an integrated public transport system.

“This new bus lane will make a difference, but only if it is implemented as part of an overall strategy. Considering the Government’s Spit Bridge working group has not announced a recommendation since it was formed a year ago, it doesn’t appear the bus lane is part of a comprehensive plan – just another ad hoc announcement.”

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