Transport and Roads Problems In Bay & Basin Area - Emergency Funds Are Required to Upgrade roads Attend to Sinkhole On Major Road

In the time I have lived within the Bay & Basin area, we've copped a lot of drenching rain and these last couple of days have brought local destruction of roads and flooding.

So Larmer Avenue is closed between The Wool Road and further ahead may be as far as the corner of Paradise Beach Road, Larmer Avenue & Sanctuary Point Road, Sanctuary Point.  this was because of the flooding of Cuckrow Creek, the water overflowed onto the bridge.

Around the corner, Wool Road Old Erowal Bay, there is a sinkhole heading towards Vincentia - The Road has been closed and will be indefinite until further advice is given. I have been advised that Council Offers will be there later this morning, to work out how to fix the sinkhole - One thing they will need is more dry days. Cracks are now appearing on the sinkhole is over a bridge, where the rainwater goes under the road. I have hardly ever seen this bridge before, first time today and I've driven over it many times. There will be chaos due to the roads closed until the sinkhole is resolved. The biggest issue for any politician here from now on, will be who will ensure there is money here to attend to current roads infrastructure?

One solution would be to bring in the same road surface that used in all of Sydney's motorways. It appears, we haven't been given the same road surfaces as them. They seem to take the load of tens of thousands carloads and 24 hour traffic.

Federal, State & Local Government elections will be fought on which is going to ensure all roads are maintained as soon as possible, with each government area around here.

This will affect not only car traffic but for commuters who rely on buses for personal use.  The Buses may have to enter from Princess Highway, loop by going through Tomerong, Huskisson, VInVEntia and turn around and head back to Island Point Road, into Basin View, St Georges basin and then Sanctuary Point and re-enter Princess Highway for Nowra, Bomaderry

Both Nowra Coaches and NSW Transport will have to make serious decisions and not only that, communicate these decisions as soon as possible New temporary timetables with have to be drawn up, until the problem is resolved where, with the assistance of  NSW South Coast Member, Liza Butler.

Earlier this morning I also checked the water level at Pelican Point and provide you with an update on video and pictures here to view:

Greater Nowra is Part of the NSW Transport 16 Regional Cities Improvement Program

So what does that mean? Exactly, what it does state to us. From the NSW Transport perspective, there will be recommendations and improvements focusing on providing improvement in Bus Services. This improvement are especially covering connections and service for  employment,

So, this gives a great chance for our community to have a say in how we wish to have their bus services. Greater Nowra will be part of the 16 Cities project that will have these improvements. Whilst having improvements in bus services, we need to have improvements in bus infrastructure, first. Then improved bus services to go along with it. It is simply, more permanent bus stop signage that includes the bus route numbers, bus stop numbers, any trip application details, contact details and names of Bus contractors and most importantly proper timetables.

Bus shelters that provide cover from the sun and rain, are well designed and have potential advertising on these shelters. We also need the Bus Operators to be providing hard copies of Timetables that are formulated to be read easily, with maps that aren't confusing. Bus stop numbers must be included in these timetables, especially when displaying details of any trip or similar software applications.

The question I now get from quite a few community members is - I don't know how to get buses and their timetables. Somebody answered me the other day - 'Read John's blog'. I thought that was a cute way to answer it. So here comes the educational part. New timetables should be letterbox dropped (my understanding: this may be not happening). This needs to be done.

Bus Operators should be doing what they can to promote their bus services in their designated route areas through all sorts of media.

I will be ensuring that Vistors Information Centres do carry relevant hard copy Bus Timetables from our local bus contractors very soon and that will be a start, from my end.

As a representative of Sanctuary Point Community Pride Inc, I will be on a local Transport Working Group to ensure that there is improvement in patronage and services around our area and also through two of our local community groups, as mentioned before.

Click here for The NSW Transport 16 Regional Cities Improvement Program

Click here for the previous post

'Man' Transponders Required on Nowra Coaches Buses Immediately

I was surprised to wait for a bus at the designated timetable at HomeCo. Vincentia this week, on time - only to be told after I contacted the Nowra Coaches representative that the bus doesn't have transponders*, a few days ago.

I was advised by a Nowra Coaches Representative that 'Don't expect changes to happen too quickly if it is referred to NSW Transport'. As a former Public Transport advocate in the Western Sydney area of Mount Druitt, I disagree. Changes can happen, especially positive required changes.

Not fully equipped essential bus services should be complying to The NSW Transport Connected Program so that real-time trip applications be used by commuters properly. This places The Nowra Coach Bus Operator 'Behind the Times', when advised that changes will not happen so quickly.

Being advised the bus that was supposed to be on the timetable, no one can verify this because no transponders are installed on buses and no sightings of this service can be seen by commuters on software applications like anytrip.com.au or Tripview, etc. 

So, we will be asking for these transponders to be installed on 2 buses that were manufactured by 'Man', immediately to assist commuters understand the real-time provided by the software applications, available. The 2 Man buses were confirmed by another Nowra Coaches spokesperson that they don't have transponders. I have placed a 'Positive Feedback' to  Nowra Coaches to have these transponders upgraded on the 2 Man buses. I was advised, 'I may hear from the Manager if they wish to do so.'

I have also lodged feedback directly to NSW Transport to get a response and further action happening. My reference number is  01856452.

As of 28th July, I have been advised by a Nowra Coach spokesperson that the matter has been referred by the General Manager to NSW Transport. When asked who it was referred to - I was asked 'To contact 131500 and they will refer to the right person'.

So, I have contacted  131500 the feedback area and was advised that the information provided was not correct by the Nowra Coaches Spokesperson. So, I am now in the process of providing feedback to The NSW Transport, requesting the Officer that deals with this matter contact me within a matter of days.

You see, the 'Buses with no transponders issue' will be resolved sooner than was advised by another spokesperson at Nowra Coaches.

As a former Public Transport advocate for Mount Druitt and Western Sydney, I will ensure that improvements in public transport are completely updated in our region and keep you posted.

Further details to assist you

Meaning of Transponders*: 

transponders: a device for receiving a radio signal and  

1. 
   
2. automatically transmitting a different signal. 
3. 
   
4. *Sourced from dictionary.com

**Costs of Bus Transponders can vary from $100- $7,000 

Click here for details

 A further update is I had spoken to a Nowra Coaches representative last Friday, chasing up on how the transponders bus situation is going on the 'Man' Buses. I was told that it has been referred to NSW Transport - when asked who they deal with at NSW Transport, I was asked to contact NSW Transport on 131500 and they will refer me to their contact. So I did that today, 

NSW Transport representative advised they cannot directly refer me to anyone in NSW Transport - unless I fill in a NSW Transport feedback form online and the response is 21 days. This was not explained by the Nowra Coaches Representative, so I have since spoken to another Nowra Coaches representative, who advised that this is the only contact number they have to contact NSW Transport for customer enquiries.

Then came the surprise. Nowra Coaches is addressing this matter and it is on their Agenda to fix up the new MAN Buses supplied, with transponders, although it may take a bit of time. We know from previous posts that 'anytrip application' which shows buses & trains in realtime is important to our community. If our local bus network doesn't have these transponders, we might as well throw away all the real-time applications available to us. 

My problem here is, how new are these MAN buses? You see Anytrip application, has been around for quite a while, so if these are new buses 'MAN' manufactured buses, how new are they?

Click here for the previous post

Extra Extra! Anyone catching buses & trains around the Bay & Basin area - How to Check Real Time On All NSW Public Services!

One thing that I remember from advocating for the return of buses, back in 2009 in Mount Druitt, which included improvements for public transport and community infrastructure, was something that would help a lot of commuters understand train and bus timetables, in our regional area. I feel there are some or many people that may not be aware of it.

Recently, I have heard some community members have difficulty with traveling on buses in our Bay & Basin area and connecting to train services in Bomaderry. Sometimes missing connections, which in turn may make them miss appointments, family, and/or personal commitments.

So, I learned in those times, all buses were installed with transponders, which in turn can relay to commuters through software applications like 'Tripview', real-time where your actual bus service is at. I remember knowing your bus stop number, you can then save your trips from your bus stop number, and all services will be updated as you travel on your journey. It was easy to understand and it still is easier to understand. You also have a real-time position on a map, where your public transport service is situated, and this information is updated every 30 seconds or so.

More information on how to use 'Tripview' for trip planning can be viewed here. This can all even be helpful with you catching and connecting with trains. This free application can be downloaded on your phone from Google Play or Apple Store. My suggestion is to access the real-time map from the application and you will see where your bus actually is in traveling time.

Besides 'TripView', there is Next Station only for trains. Personally, in my opinion, it is not what we need to use. We need to use applications that include bus services. 

Another application that may be used is called Anytrip. To me, it is as good as 'Tripview'  in relation to real-time mapping.  

Moveit Application is another way to plan your trips. Looking at it briefly, it's good having alerts for various Sydney Train network lines but it doesn't seem to make me like it that much.

So now, when I hear people say, 'I rang the bus company and they blamed the NSW Government for late buses, early buses, or even no arrival of buses.' Now, you can take a photo from your phone of your real-time timetable and include the map showing where the bus is or isn't. Now, you could email these details to the Bus Co., copy them to your Local State Member, and to the NSW Minister of Transport. I would even include your Ward Councillors' emails, so they are aware. Finally the NSW Regional Transport & Roads Minister*. I'm sure one or more of these will listen to you, especially if you provide them with evidence. 

This was the trick of my trade of getting buses back in Mount Druitt, the more right people you inform, the more chance of a positive response you got.

In our Bay & Basin area is Nowra Coaches and they cannot say it is a NSW Government problem if it is a timetable issue. They are contracted to run and provide bus services in the region, as agreed by NSW Government. It is every Bus Operator's responsibility to ensure their buses run on time, so commuters catch their bus.

What a lot of commuters in our area may not know is that the contract periods are usually from 3 to 5 years and that tendering process is a fair process that enables the right Bus Operator to provide that service for the tendered area. 

The Bus Company Operators are paid per kilometer not per passenger/commuter. So, if a bus is empty or has few commuters - the Bus Company Operators are still making money and profit. What gets me here is that they do not go out and advertise/promote their bus services to local or wider media. This is the same for every Bus Company Operator around the State. I can vouch for that by previously speaking to spokespersons at Westbus and Busways at Blacktown City Council Annual Transport Forums.

Click here for Bus Operator maps for NSW.

Click here for Nowra Coaches Timetables for our region.

Right, reviewing the Nowra Coaches Timetables, I have noticed there is no link to 'Tripview' or a similar application to download, enabling real-time services to be checked. So, I hope you find this post useful. Although it is not one of their priorities, I noticed no supplied cost structure on bus fares. Just $2.50  for concession fare commuters.

Also, as I reviewed the Nowra Coach Bus timetable, There are no NSW Bus stop numbers against all bus stop names on the timetable. Bus Stop Numbers should also be displayed on all Bus Stop signs as well as timetables. It would have made it easier for commuters to use these planner trip applications and check the real-time on buses, while they are traveling. Click here for Nowra Coaches

Now to assist you in locating your bus stop numbers. Transport for NSW Trip Planner - will let you search for your designated bus stop number. This is a public online application that you will need to download. Make sure you download the correct free one. Here is a video from NSW Transport on how to use this application here  

Here is the research conducted matching bus stops to the Nowra Coaches Timetabled Bus Stops within the Basin: 

Bus Stop Number *2540      Anson St, before Kean St, Sanctuary Point

Bus Stop Number 25401303 Frederick & Edmund St, Sanctuary Point

Bus Stop Number 2540350 Island Point Rd @ St Georges Basin Rd, St Georges Basin

Bus Stop Number 25401149 John St Opposite Junee St, Basin View

Bus Stop Number 2540347 Paradise Beach Rd opposite Sanctuary Point Public School, Sanctuary Point & Sanctuary Point Public School, Paradise Beach Rd, Sanctuary Point

Bus Stop Number 2540360 Prentice Avenu and MacDonald St, Old Erowal Bay

Bus Stop Number 2540130 St Georges Basin Public School, Tallyan Rd, Basin View

Bus Stop Number 2540495 The Park Dr Opposite Stephens Rd, Sanctuary Point

**I will come back with a Bus Stop Number once I have completed my searches, for this one. There are heaps of other bus stop numbers allocated within our area - through the Sanctuary Point and St Georges Basin Community Champions I will be following up on these other bus stops signs and numbers as I am pretty sure there is no bus stop sign on them or bus stop.

One thing I would like to advocate for our Region is to bring down here the Opal card, which would bring down costs for traveling buses. So, this I will be discussing with Sanctuary Point Community Pride Inc as They advocate for improvements within the community.

*Here is a list of emails and contacts, if you wish to raise timetable issues with Nowra Coaches and other NSW Transport sources as well as local Councillors (as previously mentioned):

Nowra Coaches website click here. 

Email Address: admin@premiersms.com.au SouthCoast State Member Hon. Liz Butler MP email: southcoast@parliament.nsw.gov.au

NSW Minister of Transport, Hon. Jo Haylen -There is no contactable email. You will be able to send an online message to the Minister here.

NSW Minister of Regional Transport And Roads. Hon. Jenny Atchison MP. There is no contactable email. You will be able to send online correspondence here.

Shoalhaven City Councillors in Ward 2 Click here for their email contact details . 

As a former public transport advocate for Mount Druitt and Western Sydney Secretary of  Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group Inc. I can assure you all that I am happy to provide all my advocacy knowledge of what I have learned to all of you! 

Please spread the word about these trip planners, use them, and let me know how you are going with them, even by adding a comment on this post. I always believe patience is the essence of life and the rewards of life.

I hope to motivate more commuters to catch public transport as our fuel and car expenses rise. Remember the more people that commute on public transport, the more of a chance, we will have more services meeting demands.

j

You will notice the  Bus Stop Number on the bottom right-hand
 corner of the  Bus Stop Sign. That's how ours should look like or similar

Better bus services for Greater Nowra - NSW TRansport

 Click here for the information

Editors Notes: I see there are extra buses and services, I am yet to view the timetable schedule. This is good news heading in the right direction. We also need to see if Opal Cards can be used in a regional area like Nowra and all regions within the NSW.

'Look Out Before You Step Out' - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release

 

6 June 2022

Shoalhaven City Council, in partnership with Transport NSW, are rolling out the ‘Look Out Before You Step Out’ pedestrian safety campaign.

Some pedestrians, distracted by mobile phones or wearing headphones, walk out into traffic without looking. The Look Out Before You Step Out campaign, originally launched in October 2016, aims to educate pedestrians to take an extra moment to take extra care before crossing a road, as well as choosing safe times and places to cross -- particularly on higher-risk urban roads. 

Council continues to install brightly coloured injury prevention/pedestrian safety footpath decal stickers across Shoalhaven at refuges, intersections and crossings to catch pedestrians’ attention and remind them about road safety. The message is simple, look out before you step out, it could save your life. 

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley said, “all of our road users are pedestrians at some time or another. Taking risks and not being mindful on the roads can end in tragedy. It is really important to be in the moment, take a look around, and make safe decisions.”  

"With the increase in technology use, people are becoming easily distracted and less aware of their surroundings. The decals are specially designed to stop people on mobile phones risking their lives by walking out into traffic without looking,” Mayor Findley said. 

Sadly, research has shown there is an even spread of fatalities and serious injuries across all ages, 17-60+ years, with males making up the majority of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries on NSW roads.

Here are some simple steps you can take to stay safe:

• Look after yourself. Just because someone else decides to cross a road, it doesn't mean it's safe for you. 
• Put your phone away and remove your earphones. 
• Don’t assume an approaching vehicle can see you, or will stop for you, even if you are using a crossing. Wait until all vehicles stop before you step off the kerb. 
• Avoid crossing between parked cars or at the front or back of a bus or large vehicle. 
• At intersections, check for turning vehicles before you step out and while you cross the road. 
• Always use pedestrian crossings or other pedestrian facilities if they are available.
• Wear bright/light-coloured clothing at night or in reduced visibility conditions.  

Click here for the previous post

Have Your Say For A Better Bus Network for Greater Nowra - NSW Transport

 

As a former public transport advocate for Mount Druitt and the Western Sydney, with the help of the community, we got many changes through from bus shelter upgrades to proper bus service re-introduced into the area after the NSW Government removed those services in 2009.

 I was told by a few people that because of the political temperature in that area,  no one will care and nothing will be done. without the support of the local community, it could not have been done.

Now moving into a regional area that services provided are not as frequent as higher density areas of living, sets a new focus of  real demand required. As yet, I haven't caught a bus yet and am looking forward to the scenic tour of where the 102 bus service goes. All I hear from people again, is there isn't enough services to meet commuters demands.

Questions need to be raised is a cost affect approach or is it blind to the fact that if your double your services, you will at least double your patronage? I have had people raise ideas of when the clubs community buses are not running could they reduce the issues of demanding service if factored in the Bus Region 4 Bus services.

Something, I would be pleased to look into as well as any minor or major improvements recommend as well.

One recommendation I have already asked, whilst speaking to the Bus Operators representative is that  Do you supply email updates of  any service as provided in Bus Region 1. The answer was we are a small company and we don't do this? So this could one step in the right direction to offer email or mms updates when services are changing.

Now's the time to have your say of bus services in the area after you have completed your bus service. Survey Starts  as from 11th January 2021 to the 5th February 2021. This is the time not just to have this a s dinner table topic but to have your say as a public transport user, using the bus network.

I also understand we have campaigners to extend the rail across the Shoalhaven River and down to the Southern Coast and this topic has been raised with the NSW Government for decades. In my eyes, rather than completing more bridge for more cars into Nowra or Bomaderry, providing train services will reduce the vehicle traffic with the area once it would be completed. So, yes, I do have positive feedback to give to NSW Government Representatives and Stake Holders to improve public transport infrastructure within the Shoalhaven Local Government Area.

So each and every one of you have an important role to complete this survey. If the feeling and moods are the same from all of us, change will happen in time. I also urge  people who do not catch public transport in the area to fo so and give your feedback. This is especially if you will need to use public transport one day, whether it is for travelling to work or just commuting from town to town.

Click here for the Have your Say Survey