Keep eight-carriage trains and make space for luggage

In the Peninsula News edition 454, there was an article noting that express train services will be doubled during peak periods.

This sounds good but hopefully will be eight carriage trains.

I had the misfortune to be on a Sydney-bound train on the morning of September 18, which was supposed to be an eight carriage but because of unforeseen circumstances arrived at Woy Woy with only four carriages.

The train was crowded with people already having to stand in the aisles and the lobby.

As is always the case nowadays, there were lots of heavy travelling cases, large back packs and of course nowhere to stow them.

This trip became very dangerous with extreme overcrowding and any passengers with any degree of disability having to prepare to leave the train earlier than usual.

This is not good enough, Mr Andrew Constance (Minister for Transport and Infrastructure).

Leave the eight carriages and make space available for suitcases and other carry-on luggage.

I also note a knowledgeable and well written submission in the Forum of this edition (DCP that does not control is no improvement, Sally Jope) was most interesting.

I agree that development of the Gosford area should include the input of our democratically-elected Council and not transferred to unnamed persons who have no interest or knowledge of this area.

An article from the same edition from a very unhappy contributor (Chambers Place flats are poorly sited, R. Laverty) in relation to his reference of the two terrible hotels in Woy Woy, the streets that are full of drunken, drug addled people and the angry fights that take place at the football stadium.

Like most areas all over Sydney, these problems can be found, but I find the hotels clean and presentable and community-minded with their sponsorship of local organisations.

It is very sad that the governments are not able to supply more housing for those unfortunate enough to be homeless, but our area has the luck to have some excellent community organisations that supply beds when they can.

There is reason for all residents to have a touch of scepticism of some elements of society but I will always remain on the more positive side and continue to know that our area is still, as it has always been, one of the best on the coast of NSW.

Email, 29 Sep 2018

Genny Murphy, Woy Woy