LESS than a month after “bullocking” the transport department over a crowded train on the South Coast line, Kiama MP Gareth Ward has got what he wanted - four extra carriages.
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Mr Ward’s campaign for an extra four carriages on the 4.24pm service from Central to Kiama included collecting a petition which included more than 800 signatures.
The campaign culminated in a speech in Parliament late last month, where he called the government’s response to his complaints “simply inadequate”.
On Thursday, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian announced that as part of minor timetable changes related to the opening of the new Shellharbour Junction station, an extra four carriages would be added to the 4.24pm train.
The extra carriages will be added from November 24, meaning all South Coast trains from 4pm-6.30pm will have eight carriages.
“I am pleased as part of timetable changes starting next month, we have been able to deliver extra carriages for customers travelling home from the city on weekdays,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Mr Ward said he was “elated” about the news.
He said he had previously spoken to Ms Berejiklian and the department without success.
“That’s why, after I didn’t get anywhere, I escalated it to the next level and took it to the Parliament.
“Of course, I try and work with the bureaucracy; 90 per cent of the problems I fix are done without needing to speak up about them in Parliament.
“In this instance, the department and the bureaucracy were not listening.
“I did what any good local member should do and gave the government the bollocking it deserved.”
Mr Ward said he knew about the problems on the service, both from commuters and from catching the train himself.
“This was the service about which I received the most consistent number of complaints,” he said.
Commuters previously used social media to vent their annoyance at the overcrowded service.
Jamberoo dairy farmer Lynne Strong regularly uses this service and tweeted photographs of the crowded train to Mr Ward.
She was pleased with the additional carriages, saying the service would now provide safer and affordable transport for the community utilising it.
"This shows what a passionate, dedicated MP, a supportive community and the power of social media can achieve," she said.