Train commuters in Penrith will now be paying more for rail travel despite their trains being slower and more overcrowded than they were 11 years ago, Liberal Candidate for Penrith Tricia Hitchen said today.

“Over the last 11 years fares have gone up by nearly twice the rate of inflation and commuters have nothing to show for it,” Mrs Hitchen said.

“Penrith rail commuters should not be paying for fare increases above inflation when they have slower services now than in 1995!” she said.

“Commuters travelling from Penrith to Central spend an extra 4 minutes sitting on the train compared with journey times 11 years ago.

(Source: CityRail Timetables effective 5 February 1995 & Current CityRail timetables as per CityRail website)

“Over the same period, the cost of a single ticket from Penrith to Central has gone up by 70%.

“The cost of an off-peak ticket has doubled, and a weekly ticket has gone from $27 up to $45.

(Source: IPART Review of Public Transport Fares 2 July 1995, IPART Review of Fares for CityRail in NSW 2 July 2006)

“Commuters also experience more overcrowding after the Iemma Labor Government slashed 270 services a day from the CityRail network.

“Despite assurances fewer trains would improve reliability and a redefinition of ‘on-time’, commuters continue to experience evening peak delays.

“CityRail trains have failed to meet on-time running targets in the evening peak for 37 of the last 42 weeks since the new timetable was introduced.

“Penrith commuters are consistently late getting home, missing out on valuable family time,” Mrs Hitchen said.