Release the transport plan

Recognising that we need an integrated public transport system, Newcastle City Council last night supported a public transport motion by Greens Councillor Keith Parsons.

The motion called on the State Government to release into the public domain, the McCormick Rankin Cagney Report (completed in September 2005) advising the Government on Lower Hunter transport planning and the Lower Hunter Integrated Transport Plan (prepared by Department of Planning) - both studies funded by our taxes.

Council has requested specific comment on the following matters:
* details regarding service planning guidelines for public transport services in the Lower Hunter
* details regarding implementation of the reforms proposed by the Ministerial Review of Bus Services in NSW (Unsworth Review)
* timing and implications of implementation of Tcard in the Lower Hunter, particularly with regard to the current time-based fare system
* introduction (in the short term) of a Student Semester Ticket (a version of the current TravelPass products)
* status and timing of completion of review of the Parking Spaces Levy Act 1992.

Why won’t Sydney release this information? And what is the Sydney-appointed candidate's view on public transport?