When callers from Belconnen and Tuggeranong aired their concerns on radio this morning about using ACTION buses to get to work, the Chief Minister dismissed their concerns as ‘sheer nonsense’, said the Shadow Minister for Transport Services, Alistair Coe.
“When Canberra residents living in the outer suburbs of Belconnen and Tuggeranong tell the Chief Minister and Minister for Transport that the ACT public transport system does not work for them, he should listen,” Mr Coe said.
The Chief Minister response was; ‘Well I dispute all that; that is sheer nonsense.’
“It is appalling the Chief Minister and Minister for Transport would be so dismissive of the view of many Canberra families about the bus system being unrealistic for their needs.
“It clearly shows how out of touch this Labor government is with residents in the outer suburbs. This view is reflected in ACT Labor’s plan to push people out of their cars, slugging commuters with higher costs for parking and registration, as well as deliberately minimising the availability of parking.
“Jon Stanhope purports to represent the people of Belconnen, yet dismisses residents completely when they say the bus system doesn’t work for them. For many workers, including shift workers who start their work-day before the buses start running, Jon Stanhope has shown contempt.
“The Canberra Liberals will continue to stand up for all residents including those Mr Stanhope shuns in Belconnen and Tuggeranong. We will not dismiss their concerns as ‘sheer nonsense’,” Mr Coe concluded.
