Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today joined Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies to announce a re-elected Baird Government will increase funding for community transport by a further $12 million.
During a visit to ‘Great Community Transport’ in Penrith today, Ms Berejiklian said community transport provides a lifeline for people who can’t drive or catch regular public transport services because of their age, disability or where they live.
“Without community transport, thousands of people would struggle to do what many of us take for granted, like going to the shops or chemist, getting to a medical appointment or leaving the house to see friends and family,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Stuart Ayres welcomed the boost to funding and said it would make a huge difference to some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people across Western Sydney.
“It was a pleasure to meet with our region’s biggest community transport provider today to thank them for the terrific work they do and pledge even more funding to keep up with increasing demand for their services,” Mr Ayres said.
“When we came to government in March 2011 we doubled community transport funding over four years with an increase of $12 million. This was the first funding boost community transport had seen since 1998.
“If re-elected, the Baird Government will continue this strong support with a further $12 million boost over four years. That’s three times more than what it was under Labor.”
Tanya Davies said community transport provides more than two million trips to customers every year, supported by more than 1,200 workers and 3,500 volunteers.
“This funding means extra services and extra support for people in our community who need it most,” Ms Davies said.
“Community transport services are absolutely vital to ensure older people in the community can get out of the house, whether that’s to access medical appointments, go to the chemist or simply do the groceries.
“It also provides an important service for residents across Western Sydney who are isolated and can’t catch regular public transport services – simply because of where they live.”
Liberal Candidate for Londonderry Bernard Bratusa said the additional funding was good news for his local community.
“Whether it’s building new transport infrastructure, putting on thousands of extra public transport services or supporting our most vulnerable with additional support for community transport – the Baird Government is delivering,” Mr Bratusa said.
