TRANSPORT Minister Gladys Berejiklian has given a strong indication there will be minimal changes to the controversial train timetable due to be adjusted this month.
"The public has adjusted and we would be loath to put people through another change process," Ms Berejiklian said at Rockdale railway station, where she opened an extension to the commuter car park.
She said any changes to the timetable, which was introduced in October last year, might be delayed until the opening of the South West rail link next year.
The minister previously said it would be "tweaked" in October after passenger feedback.
"The feedback we are receiving from this part of the world is more positive than before the changes came in," she said. "I am grateful people have adjusted and I have not received any complaints from here in the last couple of months.
"Next year, the South West Rail Link comes into operation and, as we need to plan for that, it could be the case that we delay the fine tuning until then."
She said while stations such as Rockdale, Kogarah and Mortdale had lost express services in the peak, trains were far less crowded and passengers were able to get a seat.
Feedback suggested the timetable's intent had been met, she said.
Passenger numbers on the network were increasing and she said the "very popular" Opal card was a contributing factor for this.
MORE COMMUTER CAR PARK SPACES AT ROCKDALE
THE raising of two witches hats marked the ‘‘official opening’’ of 24 more commuter car parking spaces at Rockdale station.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian and Rockdale MP John Flowers (pictured) performed the ‘‘ceremony’’ at the entrance to an extension of the Geeves Lane car park.
Ms Berejiklian said 30 spaces, in a staff car park on the western side of the station, could also be handed over to commuters.
She announced early this year hundreds of under-utilised rail staff parking spaces would be progressively transferred for commuter use.
She said this week the rail union was consulted and there were no problems about specific spots brought to her attention.
‘‘Obviously we make sure shift workers have spaces,’’ she said.
Ms Berejiklian said there were no moves now to erect a multi-level car park on Rockdale’s extensive at-level parking area.
‘‘I am not sure about any restrictions, but there’s no reason we couldn’t look at that in the future,’’ she said.
Ms Berejiklian noticed there were some empty spaces in the Geeves Lane car park while she was there, but thought that was probably due to school holidays.
‘‘Whenever we extend a car park or build a new one, it always fills up immediately,’’ she said.
Do you think the train timetable needs to be changed? Have you switched over to Opal?
