CityRail left girl stranded, says mother

A Woy Woy mother has criticised CityRail employees for leaving her 11-year-old daughter stranded at Gosford station on Monday, March 15.

Ms Kerry Sai-Louie said that CityRail staff were more concerned about tickets than the safety of her daughter.

She said they refused to let her daughter on the train when she failed to present a travel pass and had no money to purchase a ticket.

She said her daughter was left distressed and crying alone at Gosford station.

In the meantime, Ms Sai Louie was waiting at Woy Woy station to pick her daughter up off the train.

"Her train was meant to come in at 3.40pm and the next train didn't come in until 4.15pm.

"When she didn't get off the train, I was worried sick.

"It was only a short time but it was enough time when you know there are people out there who would take advantage of a situation like that."

When Ms Sai Louie rang Gosford Station staff to complain, she said they were more concerned with the fact they would get into trouble if a ticket inspector got on the train and the girl had no ticket.

"It is a duty of care issue.

"You can't expect kids to not lose their travel passes," she said.

She said she wanted to warn other parents about the attitude of CityRail staff.

Luckily Ms Sai Louie's 13-year-old son noticed his sister was missing and went back to find her, and they walked up to Gosford Hospital where their father worked.

Alison Branley, March 19