Leap in demand for public transport

In the face of rapidly rising petrol prices, Sydneysiders are migrating to public transport at an astonishing rate.

Over the last eight months, public transport patronage has risen by 5.1 per cent across the CityRail network — an additional 10 million trips. Patronage at Inner West rail stations was an astonishing 8.5 per cent higher than for the same period in the previous year. Bankstown line patronage increased by 10.5 per cent.

Some bus routes in the Inner West have shown increases above 15 per cent.

The NSW government keeps quiet about these figures because they highlight overcrowding on the public transport system and are a powerful argument for its rapid expansion. Escalating petrol prices caused by the peaking of global oil output provide even more urgency for expanding public transport.

Extending the light rail service to Dulwich Hill will boost public transport capacity and improve the connectivity of the network by providing a fast feeder service between the two heavy rail lines.