t card, page-17

Yes Walt.

I have not sold.

Patience.
ERG has not squeald.

A word from her Majesty's opposition

" Written by Gladys Berejiklian MP
Thursday, 11 October 2007

The Iemma Labor Government has failed Sydney commuters yet again, after confirmation the Tcard project is in turmoil, Shadow Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said today.

“Mr Watkins’ steps to terminate the contract for integrated ticketing almost 10 years after the idea was put on the table is typical of the Iemma Labor Government’s mismanagement,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Mr Watkins has never been open with the public on the details of the $367 million contract and his wavering now casts doubt the project will be delivered at all,” she said.

“It has also been revealed Mr Watkins only recently took the proposal for Tcard’s fare structure, which is critical to the development and implementation of the project, to Cabinet despite the contract being awarded four years ago.

“Time and again we see Mr Watkins farcical mismanagement of key transport projects that are critical to the effective running of an integrated system.

“It is hardly surprising the project has been delayed since the Sydney Olympics, given that we know the Labor Government hadn’t even discussed how Tcard’s transport fare structure would work.

“Commuters need to know how much they will need to pay to use public transport under integrated ticketing.

“The NSW Labor Government has already spent $64 million of taxpayers funds on the project and has back flipped on comprehensive field trials at least five times.

“Their indecisiveness is forcing commuters to turn their backs on the transport network and it is no wonder yesterday’s AAMI report showed Sydneysiders would rather choose to sit in traffic gridlock than face Mr Watkins’ failing transport network.

“It is time the Iemma Government and Mr Watkins came clean with their true intentions on Tcard,” Ms Berejiklian said.