THE Hunter’s public transport infrastructure would collapse under pressure from forecast population growth unless major changes were made, the NRMA believes.
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The Newcastle Herald reported yesterday the number of vehicles using Hunter roads over the past five years had grown at twice the state average. At the same time, public transport use, primarily buses, has remained static or is in decline.
Hunter-based NRMA director Kyle Loades said the statistics highlighted the need for a major overhaul of Lower Hunter transport infrastructure.
‘‘When you factor in today’s population, let alone the forecast population, the situation will become diabolical if we keep doing the same thing,’’ he said.
‘‘It is absolutely essential to have an integrated transport plan for the region that encompasses a significant shift towards public transport.’’
The motoring organisation’s 2010 Get the Hunter Moving document lists the completion of the region’s arterial road network and aiming for 20per cent (up from the present 5per cent) public transport patronage as priorities.
The NRMA has identified six potential transport interchange locations and 12 park and ride sites. Newcastle City councillor Michael Osborne said the NRMA’s vision for park and ride interchanges was similar to what the council had been aiming to create.
