BEVERLEY BRILL
If you had told me I was going to do my block about changes to the Metro timetable, I would have thought you were mad. Until Metro changed the timetable, I was mildly happy with public transport. However, when Metro disadvantaged so many people in a small community I spat the dummy.
One person I spoke to at Metro said, and I quote “it’s not a high volume bus route”. Well, twenty people on a 268 is quite normal, so how about we use a 25 seater on this route, or take off the “bendy” buses – of course we won’t fill them: however, most of the time they are moving the “bendy” buses to a different yard for the peak hour trips.
The small communities of Rose Bay and Lindisfarne Village are now in the odious position of having to get two buses to go to either Rosny or Glenorchy, and in the case of Lindisfarne, the older people in the community have to walk up a bloody great hill. The 268 bus route has been a very important bus route for both areas for a long time. The stupidity of having to go to the CBD from Rose Bay to go to Rosny is ridiculous.
Now, in its wisdom, Metro apparently at the behest of Sturges, has cancelled the 268. Why is it important? Rose Bay, but more importantly, Lindisfarne Village, has an older population. Through this current stupidity, instead of being able to get one bus from Rosny, via Rose Bay, the Lindisfarne Village, Risdonevale to Glenorchy (and reverse) has been cancelled.
I live in Rose Bay and now I have to travel to the CBD, change buses and go back to Rosny or Glenorchy. How stupid is that? Where were your brains at the time, Metro/Sturges? In your shoes?
The aged population can no longer get one bus to shop at either Rosny or Glenorchy. Two buses, carrying groceries, crossing a highway … sounds like fun? Not. I cannot believe the age demographic wasn’t considered by these dopey bureaucratics.
I would like to suggest to Sturges that he gives up his government limo for a month and only use public transport (yes, sure). Metro and Sturges haven’t thought this through at all. Buses don’t actually make connections all the time. When you are on the 268 you know you will get to where you want to be without having to drag the week’s vegies off the bus with you, cross a road and pray like hell another bus will eventually turn up to take you the rest of the way.
I need help. I have organised the printing of petitions and posters for the shops in the village. If you can sit on a bus stop and collect signatures, or collect signatures from your neighbours, please contact me on 6243 5020. I can get the petitions to you.
Thanks from Bev Brill.
