25th March, 2026.
I acknowledge in the gallery the Mayor of Wollondilly, along with the CEO and a long-time planner from Wollondilly. We wish we had a bus crisis; we wish we had some buses! I contribute to the public interest debate and begin by acknowledging the contribution of the member for Wakehurst. I congratulate the member on his sustained advocacy for his area. Public transport is not just a convenience; it is a fundamental service that connects people to jobs, education, health care and community life. He has advocated very hard. Hopefully he will get additional buses and services for the Wakehurst electorate. It demonstrates what a local member who champions the needs of their community can do.
Increasing bus seating capacity with larger buses, more frequent services, better coverage and improved reliability will make a real difference to people's daily lives, and the member deserves recognition for those outcomes. However, I contrast that progress with the reality faced in the electorate of Wollondilly. I emphasise that the Wollondilly electorate is in the Sydney metro area and has a land area the size of Belgium. In Wollondilly, public transport is not just under strain; in many areas, it is simply inadequate or even non-existent. While members are blaming each other, I note that under previous governments we were delivered bus stops in development areas, but no buses.
While some communities enjoy an expansion of services, many of our towns and villages are left behind. Entire communities have little or no access to bus services on weekends. That means families, young people and older residents are effectively cut off from essential services and social opportunities for at least two days every week. That is not a minor inconvenience; it is a significant barrier to participation in modern life. For those who rely on public transport, the situation is even more challenging. Our train services, which should act as a backbone for connectivity, are frankly abysmal. That is when we actually get bus services: The bus services have to be brought in because the trains have broken down. Commuters in Wollondilly face many delays.
The contrast between electorates is stark. While members argue about their bus services, they should remember that some populations have no services. Public transport investment must be equitable. It cannot be determined solely by geography or population density. Regional and peri-urban communities like Wollondilly deserve the same level of consideration and commitment as metropolitan areas. While I commend the member for Wakehurst for his advocacy and achievements, I also call on the Government to turn its attention to communities like mine to ensure that Wollondilly is not left behind as it has been under previous governments. We need reliable, frequent public transport. It should not be a privilege; it should be a guarantee for every single community.