Community in shock as the Shirley Shuttle ceases

Community Transport Central Coast Limited (CTCCL) has ceased operating, causing confusion and concern for its clients, more than 520 residents who rely on the service to get to services vital for their health and wellbeing.

The sudden closure on Friday, September 20 with less than 24 hour notice to both staff and customers includes the Shirley Shuttle which has helped more 4,000 customers over the years.

The local politicians are scrambling to try to assist the families who have been left in the lurch by the sudden demise of the not-for-profit company which gets two thirds of its revenue from the State Government.

CTCCL said it would operate skeleton staff until September 27 to liaise with its customers to make alternative transport arrangements.

It will also liaise with suppliers, contractors and stakeholders.

As well as paid staff, the operation had a team of volunteers.

“During the past year our volunteers contributed tirelessly driving for a combined 908 shifts, totalling 6,940 hours and travelling 113,052 km,” the annual report for the financial year 2023/24 states.

In a notice to community members on September 19, the company said it had been experiencing operational challenges which had placed significant pressures on the commercial viability of its services for some time.

“The Board and management have been working tirelessly to address these operational challenges,” a notice to the community said. 

Unfortunately, due to external factors it is apparent that CTCCL is not able to continue its operations.

“As such, the Board has made the difficult decision to place CTCCL into Members Voluntary Liquidation from September 23, 2024 and to cease normal operations from September 20, 2024,” the notice said.

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris, and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch, said on social media that Transport NSW was informed on September 19 that CTCCL would cease operations the next day, giving less than 24 hours’ notice.

They said there had been no indication beforehand that this would happen.

“The NSW Government, through (Department of) Transport, are working to secure an alternative operator,’’ the post said.

“Central Coast MPs have been speaking to the Minister’s office about the importance of finding alternatives for this vital service as quickly as possible.

“We will keep the public updated as news comes to hand on possible alternative arrangements.”

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said he was deeply concerned by the situation and that he had written to the Department of Transport for information on alternative arrangements.

One community member summed up sentiment when they said on social media that they relied on the service desperately and “so do many other pensioners who cannot afford taxis to appointments and can not use public transport as they are too old and fail”.

“There will be hundreds of appointments cancelled due to this service not operating,” the resident said.

Since 2013, CTCCL’s transport services had supported the frail aged, those living with a disability, and those who were financially or geographically isolated to remain engaged in their community.

The Shirley Shuttle had been operating for more than 15 years, started by Barb Galvin in 2008 as part of bequest from her mother, Shirley.

The CTCCL annual report highlighted the generosity of Cancer Care Australia; the Rotary Club of East Gosford, Lions Family Central Coast, Freemasons Central Coast, local resident Karen Thorpe and thanked the Everglades Women’s Golf Club and Canton Mixed Bowlers for conducting major fundraisers to support running costs of one Shirley Shuttle vehicle for its life.

Coast News will continue to provide updates as they come to hand.