Council continues Night Owl service

Gosford Council has resolved to continue the Night Owl Bus, which services Peninsula pubs and clubs, with ticket prices set to increase to $10.

The service was set to cease operations on July 1, but council had resolved to keep it operating until the Unsworth Report was presented, despite a recommendation to cancel the service after June 10.

The Unsworth Report makes recommendations which provide a framework for improvements to bus services for the people of NSW.

Council has ordered its officers to continue to pursue the proposal to have the Night Owl Bus routes included in those to be serviced by other bus companies, in conjunction with the State Government's bus reform program for the Central Coast.

Mayor Cr Laurie Maher will write to the Minister Eric Roosendaal, asking to accelerate the findings of the Unsworth Transport Report for the Central Coast, and to all local Members seeking their representation

He will also write to the Minister supporting the long term funding of the service as part of the bus reform program.

Council's Grants Officer has also been charged with securing sponsorship to support the service, with all clubs, pubs and restaurants who contribute towards the support of the service to be identified as sponsorship partners in the weekly council page in the Express Advocate.

Council has also resolved to seek police and NRMA support via representations to the Minister and local Members for the maintenance and long term funding of the service.

Wyong Council, who recently resolved to cease its share of the funding, has been asked to reconsider its decision and join council in a funding partnership until the Unsworth report is handed down.

Cr Craig Doyle said these were all suggestions council should move forward on.

"We need to get the Roads Minister fully involved with this, and get him to bring that (Unsworth) report forward if possible," Cr Doyle said.

Cr Peter Hale stated that the ticket price increase would most likely make people in groups more inclined to catch cabs.

Cr Terri Latella said she thought the $10 ticket price was a fair ask.

"We are ranked third in the number of car accidents that involve youth in the state," Cr Latella said.

"I believe that amount there is quite a nominal amount.

"If the State government can dictate population strategies to us then we should be at the least asking for services such as transport."

The weekly patronage of the bus from March 10 to May 13 was 56, well short of initial estimates of118 passengers.

A report from council staff stated that the action "to have the Night Owl Bus service included in the NSW Government local service contract(s) appears the most likely avenue in retaining the service in the longer term".

It stated that there was no indication when the bus reform program for the Central Coast would be finalised and that there was no guarantee that the Night Owl Bus service would be included in the program.

Council agenda CIT.32, June 6