The Greens have pledged to put an end to the privatisation of the transport system, improve regional bus services and introduce free travel across the entire network if elected to government on March 25.
Greens candidate for Gosford Hilary van Haren said there has never been high quality, reliable public transport on the Coast.
“We want public transport to be good enough that people choose to get the bus or train instead of driving,” she said.
“Young people could get to work, or TAFE, or weekend sport without being taxied by parents or spending half a day in transit.
“Others in the community who don’t drive could move around the region as easily as people with cars.
“A new fleet of state-of-the-art electric buses, made in Australia, could get cars off the road, provide manufacturing jobs, reduce traffic and unlock opportunities for work and education.
“There is no downside.”
The Greens’ transport plan includes fast-tracked accessibility upgrades for people with disability, mobility issues or who travel with prams.
They also want to see pets allowed on public transport, subject to some controls to ensure the comfort of other passengers.
Candidate for Terrigal Imogen da Silva said the State Government already subsidises 80 per cent of transport costs to consumers, but there are still people in the community who can’t afford the fares to get where they need to go.
“We want all public transport to be free, including the ferries, so you can throw away your Opal card,” she said.
Source: Media release, Mar 7, 2023, Central Coast Greens