Survey to gauge future of Yass transport

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Yass Valley Council will conduct a comprehensive shire-wide survey to help mould its transport blueprint for the future.

The $10,000 study, set to be carried out by a contracted firm this financial year, will gauge public transport desires of Yass Valley citizens.

Currently, residents in the township of Yass have daily bus access to the nation’s capital and daily train services to Melbourne and Sydney. School buses pick kids up from across the local government area, while taxis operate for around 16 hours a day.

But those missing out most, according to Chairman of the Community Access Committee, Geoff Frost, are people living in the villages scattered across the Yass Valley.

“Some people, particularly in the villages, find it hard to even do their shopping,” he said.

“We’re trying to get a handle on what the public want. Once we’ve done that, we’ll have a better idea about the services we’ll need in the future and can begin preparing for it.”

One aspect sure to come under the microscope is the practicality of train services. While council intends to evaluate how residents feel about the frequency and quality of train shuttles that pass through Yass Junction, rail provider CountryLink has announced it is seeking the feedback of its passengers.

The government arm responsible for providing train services to country commuters in NSW is calling on the public to assess its performance.

Train passengers are encouraged to provide submissions outlining areas the service is lagging in and sectors that need addressing.

Representatives from CountryLink will attend forums in major centres across regional NSW as part of its inquiry.

Mr Frost welcomed CountryLink’s announcement, but said council’s survey would primarily focus on areas within its control. “The only problem with trains is they only go where there are tracks. There are no tracks between Yass and Canberra and that’s where most people want to go,” he said.

CountryLink submissions can be emailed to countrylinkup@countrylink.nsw.gov .au.

More information can be found at CountryLink’s website, http://www.coutrylink.nsw.gov.au.