Question for our State MP

Not sure what that has to do with anything. I think the MP is clearly going out of her way to hear our views - I havent spotted any other politicians making sure we all get a say. Who cares if Mrs Mackay takes the bus or not as long as she listens.

It has everything to do with the review. How can anyone who does not actually use a service like Newcastle Buses for daily work / shopping / Dr's appointments etc. be factually across experience based issues that affect the rest of us who have to use the service. I look foward to Ms McKay replying to this very simple question for the rest of us. This was a very strong pre-election platform stated publicly by Ms McKay, so it really is a simple question in line with her own comments about improving our services.

Sorry Captain Scarlet but I've got to agree with blakey. By your logic an MP would only be able to lobby for improved hospital services if they had spent time gravely ill. The best any MP can do is demonstrate a willingness to listen and then act on that information.

Geez Louise I'd be worried if an MP based such important decisions on an internet forum with - let's face it - a very small number of contributors and opinion sample rate v.s. the actual passenger numbers who use Newcastle Buses. I maintain it's a fair question to ask Ms McKay - I am a constituent - so I look forward to her reply as it is of relevance here.. On the question of getting ill to understand hospitals - it's a lot easier to flag down a bus.

I also wonder how many planners and Jodi McKay travel on public buses, especially daily like I do. Lately I have been using private buses as often as I can to Tafe at Glendale as I couldn't get to class on time with public buses. The private buses are more frequently on time and it is an enjoyable experience compared to the public system. I also lived in Perth for 4 years and found the bus system so much more organized with interchanges, and correlating with train services. The Lord Mayor went to Perth some time ago to check out the system but nothing has changed in Newcastle.

I keep checking in to see if the elected MP Ms McKay has been able to find the time in her hectic schedule to click onto this excellent 'Bang the Table' site and answer this simple question.. I note she found the time to mention 'Bang the Table' on a local ABC Radio interview this week (by phone from Sydney) and on various commercial radio interviews, but it seems that she has been too busy to log on so far.. We, your constituents, look foward to a reply at your earliest convenience please Ms McKay in the interest of genuine discussion about this vital matter. (Alas, if only we were the Pasha Bulker's rudder maybe we would get an answer sooner....)

I'm not sure if anyone has read Ms McKay's newpaper propoganda titled 'Bus plan a bid to turn drivers into passengers'.

Ms McKay has stated 'When I was elected I made a promise to the poeple of Newcastle to assess and improve bus services and I am folloing through on that promise.' However, all these proposals are from the Unsworth Enquiry and administered by the Ministry of Transport. I was contacted by Ted Barker in July 2006 about these proposed changes to occur.

This was BEFORE Ms McKay even threw her hat in the ring with the help of Morris Iemma. How more…

FACT: Newcastle is the LARGEST city outside of a capital city in Australia.

FACT: Cityrail is one of the most complex rail networks in the WORLD.

QUESTION: Why take away the most used services and alter them making it more difficult and time consuming to get to destinations?

QUESTION: Why are there no increases to frequency of services?! This is a MAJOR city. Or do you disagree? Am I wrong in thinking its a MAJOR city?

FACT: In the year 2000 Newcastle had much better servicing than the proposed changes.

QUESTION: You say 'The network review has been planned and drafted by Newcastle people'. This contradicts the Newcastle Buses and Ferries 'Proposal to pdate the bus network' flyer which states 'will better utilise the strategic coffidors indentifited in the Unsworth Report'. Which statement is true?

QUESTION: Why is there no Broadmeadow - Waratah - University Corridor? (Get on a bus, 226! DURING SEMESTER!)

QUESTION: Are we going to take away more buses and send them to Sydney like during the Olympic Games where we ran on a Sunday Timetable for two weeks? Without any notice to anyone???

Once again our State MP is 'missing in action' or is that 'inaction'?? It is easier to get a response from The Mysterons. Yep, before the election Ms Mckay was seen in the now classic TV 'vote for me' ad looking so desperately concerned at Newcastle Rail Station as the voice-over said something about better public transport.. Sorry folks, she's now firmly in Mr Iemma's pocket.. Wonder how many times our MP has used public transport since the ad was filmed? (for other than a photo shoot that is..) Bet you don't quote this comment in State Parliament Ms McKay.

I'm glad the MP hasnt entered into this silly debate. Its her job to listen not to argue. I dont expect she does get the bus much and I dont care either. She could grandly get on a bus with a photographer once a year and claim to fully understand the experience but really, unless you rely on the bus with no alternative every day you could not understand users. MPs are never going to be in that position. What is important is listening to real users like on this site. You dont have to be sick to represent the sick and you dont have to be a bus user to represent bus users - you just have to listen.

Blakey writes: "I dont expect she does get the bus much and I dont care either" It's a great shame you don't. Even using only public transport for a month to do their job, go shopping, visit constituents etc. would give an MP - any MP - an absolutely first hand 'heads up' on what the rest of the folks who do use Newcastle Buses experience year in and year out - rain, hail and shine - which can only ASSIST the Network Review. It's a shame there are apologists for any MP that does not choose to actually get some real experience in such an important issue as this. 'Bang the Table' is a VERY worthy source of information, but there is no substitute for being 'on the ground' as well. Blakey seems to indicate by his responses that MP's are perhaps 'too important' to do what the rest of us HAVE to do.. which is a great shame, because therin lies the problem with so many decisions from those above..

Interesting concept, this www gathering of ideas for Ms McKay and congratulations to the folks behind 'Bang the Table'. Interesting too to see how much of the planned 'windfall' revenue from the State Government's planned $15 billion sale of Hunter Valley retail power companies and leased power stations - a sell-off that Ms McKay supported apparently - comes back to Newcastle and the Lake in the form of serious revenue for extra staff and State Transit buses. Extra dollars is the only way an ever-expanding population area can be serviced. So, instead of a magic cross-Sydney French style metro railway fantasy as stated by your Premier Mr Iemma, how about it Ms McKay - 1 Billion dollars for OUR public transport systems? e.g. Stewart Avenue and Adamstown overpasses.. return of trams / light rail.. proper integration of bus / rail services.. serious financial (tax rebate incentives) for people NOT to use cars in the CBD area and instead use public transport..

I've started an integrated transprt for Newcastle discussion in the open forum section of this website (press projects at the top of the page and select open forum) please come and discuss.