LETTERS
AUGUST 18 2017
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Watch the gloating on job cuts

It is beyond galling to see NSW state minister Andrew Constance openly brag about his plan to use automation as a weapon to eliminate NSW transport workers ("Constance says private sector is transport future", August 17). Let's get this straight – the use of new technology has the potential to improve public transport services, and better public transport can help make Sydney a more livable, efficient and productive city. This is why we should be having a sensible public discussion about the application of new technologies to our transport system. But there is little chance of a sensible policy discussion around transport services when the primary focus of the responsible minister is on finding new ways to sack people. The prospect of a workforce with no workers, and public transport with no public, might sound like heaven to a Tory politician – but here's a tip for Mr Constance. Workers, like commuters, are people. People vote. And people do not vote for politicians who openly attack them, or gloat about abolishing their jobs. Bring on the next NSW state election.

Bob Nanva National Secretary – Rail, Tram and Bus Union

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Illustration: John Shakespeare
The Sydney Morning Heraldyesterday reported the unprecedented growth in passenger numbers we've seen in recent years. We agree, which is why we are acting now. Customers will see significant increases in train services from later this year. Just last week, the government announced 300 extra services on the T1 and T2 lines, including 20 express trains per hour, or a service every three minutes, between Parramatta and the CBD during the busiest periods. This is in addition to the recent announcement of more than 750 extra weekend services, 20 extra express trains in peak hour to the CBD each week for Campbelltown and Macarthur customers, 200 extra services per week in non-peak times on the T8 Airport Line and 24 new express services to the Blue Mountains on weekends. We have also ordered 24 new Waratah-style trains, which will begin rolling onto our tracks from late 2018. The NSW Government is investing now to ensure we can meet the demand for train services well into the future.

Andrew Constance Minister for Transport and Infrastructure

Thanks to Andrew Constance we know well in advance what the choice is at the next election. The Baird/Berejiklian governments have been relentless in pursing an aggressive agenda of privatising public assets and the results are there for all to see. A friend recently travelled to the UK where transport is largely privatised and it cost 100 pounds (A$163) to travel the equivalent distance of a trip from Central to Springwood. This is the reality of the future being spruiked by Minister Constance increasing inequality. We cannot say we were not warned.

Greg Loder Springwood

So public transport is to be the latest asset to be privatised. This is presumably due to the demonstrated performance of previous public assets/services placed into private hands, such as large sections of Vocational Education and Training, the Commonwealth Bank and electricity transmission. They've certainly delivered profits for owners, but one might question the costs and quality of service to the public, just a tad. And I seem to recollect rather impressive cost over-runs in public/private partnerships – usually covered, it seems, by the public partner. This isn't economic "rationalism". It's near-superstitious adherence to a largely discredited ideology..

Al Svirskis Mount Druitt

Sydney train usage is surging and the network is in need of new rail lines ("Train strain: 20% surge in passengers", August 17). This reality makes the state government's plans to privatise and convert the Epping to Chatswood line and the Sydenham to Bankstown line, as part of their Metro project, extremely disappointing. Instead of promoting options that could have provided cross radial links, a rail service to Sydney University/RPA or rail services to areas that currently don't have them, the Government has decided, in large part, to spend billions merely replacing existing lines. More rail is more rail.

Peter Olive Marrickville

That surge in rail passengers might provide a partial solution to the predicted redundancies caused by the arrival of driverless trains. Laid-off rail workers could be employed, Tokyo-style, to apply boots to the backs of passengers attempting to squeeze into sardine-packed city rail trains.

Garth Clarke North Sydney,

Tony G