Loop Expansion Deserves State Help

03 Nov 2009

Parramatta Lord Mayor Councillor Paul Garrard is outraged at the State Government’s refusal to fund Parramatta City Council’s free city centre bus service.

Parramatta City Council introduced The Loop service in the city centre in August 2008 following a recommendation from Cr Garrard in 2003.

“After years of inactivity from the State Government since 2003, and its failure to introduce a free CBD shuttle service anywhere in New South Wales, Parramatta City Council took the initiative to introduce The Loop service in good faith,” said Cr Garrard.

“Now the Loop has become a run-away success”

“The State Government still refuses to contribute, while simultaneously funding similar services in the City of Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.

“With the poor state of traffic and transport in Sydney the State Government should be falling all over itself to support Parramatta City Council and contribute towards an integrated transport solution that is actually taking cars off the road”

“There is a real sense of urgency around the need to build vital extensions to Parramatta’s public transport infrastructure with the city set to boom by an additional 30,000 jobs and 20,000 residents in the next 20 years.

“If you can’t do the easy jobs, how can you address the complex issues”, said Cr Garrard.