Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has blasted the NSW Government for a decision, which will penalise high school students in her electorate.
The state local member is calling on the Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance to explain why pupils from Cardiff and Glendale have had their bus taken away, while youngsters from a private learning facility in Sydney recently had their ferry reinstated.
From Monday 8 February, the regular service – provided by Hunter Valley Buses – will end, forcing Hunter Sports High School students to now take two buses, adding about 30 minutes to their travel time.
It is understood Transport for NSW refused to fund the local route.
Ms Hornery has written to the Minister to ask him why Hunter-based public school students have lost their “necessary service” when pupils at a Sydney private school had their ferry service saved so they didn’t have an additional 20-minute bus ride to reach their destination.
“The minister needs to come clean on this one and explain why there is one rule for private school students and another for public school students,” she said.
“Cutting this service will now see pupils take twice as long to get to school or parents forced to drive their children to school on already congested local roads.
“Last week the minister saved a ferry service in Sydney so that private school children wouldn’t have to take a bus and endure an extra 20 minutes.
“What is the difference here, Mr Constance?
“Why save a service for private school children but not for public school children?
“With limited public transport options right around the Wallsend electorate, we need to ensure our children are getting to school as quickly and safely as possible.
“I will be making this a priority when Parliament resumes next week and the minister will be hearing from me again on this issue.”
