Services Redirected

Newcastle Herald

Thursday September 18, 2008

MICHELLE HARRIS

THE introduction of the city's new bus network has been pushed back almost two months to November 30 about a year after work began to redesign services.

A spokeswoman for new Transport Minister David Campbell said the planned October 5 implementation of the network had been deferred to avoid any confusion about the timetable arising during Higher School Certificate, School Certificate and university exams.

The new timetable will be listed on the Newcastle Buses website from September 29, and printed copies will be available from October 12.

Newcastle Buses general manager David Witherdin informed staff of the deferral in a memo on Monday.

It is understood Mr Campbell was briefed last week on projects including the Newcastle review, after he assumed the transport portfolio in a reshuffled state cabinet.

The Hunter Commuter Council and the bus union had argued that the October start date was poor timing for students.

But the 11th-hour change of heart by the Government, almost a year after the review was announced, is unlikely to impress.

The Herald understands the final network design is the 18th version produced by planners, and that the bulk of the work to develop the new timetable and routes was completed several months ago.

The deferral to late November means the new network will be up and running just days before the state's independent pricing watchdog is expected to rule on Newcastle bus fare increases for 2009.

The Department of Transport has asked the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to put fares up by 5.45 per cent, in line with its Sydney fare proposal, to help meet the rising cost of providing services.

A ruling is expected in early December.

The latest delay might allow for the resolution of a dispute between Newcastle City Council and the Government over who should pay for bus stops on the new network.

Newcastle MP Jodi McKay had sought $85,000 for some of the new stops, which Mr Campbell's spokeswoman said yesterday was "being considered".

"To date, 11 stops located on cross-regional routes will be fully funded by the State Government," the spokeswoman said.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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