John [via email]

Many affected

We've lived in West St Clair, in McIntyre Avenue, for over 20 years. In all that time we had the buses (route 772 and 773) run up our street to both Mount Druitt and St Marys. When I asked about the new timetable I was told these two routes would no longer run under the new timetable. We're both aged pensioners so this will inconvenience us, as I'm sure it will many others in the area from Solander Avenue to the outskirts of St Clair along Mamre Road. We had seen nothing to publicise this in any of the news media and are wondering how many others will be affected.

Judith Webster, St Clair

`Total stuff-up'

I live in Whalan between Luxford Road and Woodstock Street, on top of the hill off Popondetta Road. I've had knee surgery and find it very hard to get up or down hills. So taking the bus service away from Popondetta Road is a total stuff-up for a lot of residents who will be left stranded. I know who I won't be voting for next election. But they don't have to rely on public transport. They're too busy spending the money on fancy cars!

Nora Scott, Whalan

Cab a necessity

I'm disgusted that the Government has made changes to our bus route here at Popondetta Road, Whalan. I work and used to catch Busways on Luxford Road at 4.41am to get to work and now I have to catch a cab just to get to Mount Druitt station for me to be able to get to work on time. I start at 6am. This is going to cost me an extra $200 a month, not including my train fares. It's a disgrace! I just can't believe the Government can make these changes when things were working out fine for the last 30 years or so the buses have been running this route. I can understand them making changes for peak-hour trains. but they should have left the buses alone. I now have a bus that passes my house the 745 and there's never anyone on it. What a pointless waste! I'm most concerned I might lose my job and in these times jobs are very hard to come by especially since I have a full-time position.

Virginia Malcolm, Whalan

Short-cut policy

To cater for the increase and needs of people, the new bus routes are needed on top of existing bus routes. Penrith Council wanted to have a rail link through Dunheved, Ropes Crossing and Cochrane stations, which could have continued on to the Richmond line. The bus services can't cope and aren't willing to put in place what's needed only take short cuts.

Debbie Robertson, Shalvey