| NRSDC responds to bus fare review |
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Submissions to the IPART Rural & Regional Bus Fares Review 2011 close this week. This review will determine the maximum bus fares that operators can charge for the next 12 months. The Northern Rivers has a high number of dispersed towns and villages and consequently a high need for people to travel between towns for appointments, education, social and medical reasons, but bus fares here are currently much higher than in metropolitan Sydney.
In a region such as the Northern Rivers where there is disproportionate disadvantage, reduction in rural bus fares has the potential to contribute to improved social outcomes by providing greater access to resources for people on limited incomes. The following quote from a respondent to the 2010 Northern Rivers social priorities survey illustrates the impact of high bus fares on people’s wellbeing: "Accessing and benefitting from services becomes problematic…if you are dependent on public transport …because of the cost…low income persons who don’t own a car become isolated…" There are many stories across our region of the extreme hardship people face because they can’t afford to use public transport. Follow this link to view NRSDC’s submission to the review. |