Tesch urges support for on-demand bus service

Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch is encouraging locals to support the extended trial of the on-demand commuter bus servicing Woy Woy station.

"I would love to see fewer people in their cars and more people on public transport or using active transport such as cycling or walking to get to and from the station.

"On-demand services are a great first step to reducing dependence on private vehicles," Ms Tesch said.

"This is about encouraging locals to think about changing their behaviour in the first and last mile link - between home and the station - where car dependence is high."

Ms Tesch said that she has used the service on a number of occasions, but was often the only one on board.

"Right now the trial is experiencing low patronage which doesn't give a good idea of how effective it could be.

"The mini-buses arrive when and where you need them and take you door to door.

"There is no parking stress.

"I would encourage locals to at least give it a go while the trial is running to see if it works for them."

The Independent Pricing Regulator has found on-demand services are significantly more expensive to operate than fixed-route buses, and primarily work best in areas where demand for public transport was low, or the supply of traditional public transport was costly.

Similar trials in Sydney have been cut

"I'm not saying this is the best or only solution, but it is something we should give a go while we have the opportunity," Ms Tesch said.

Passengers book via the CoastConnect app and pay directly by a linked credit card.

SOURCE:

Media release, 23 May 2019

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford