Eastern suburbs bus route threatened

BY DAN BISHTON

Residents in Sydney’s east stand to lose a key transport link if State Transit’s proposed slashing of the 311 bus route goes ahead.

The 311 is an important link between Circular Quay and Central Station, via William Street; Oxford Street and the Elizabeth Bay Loop, terminating at Broadway. Under the proposed cut, the route would cut out Circular Quay, Central, the Elizabeth Bay Loop and William Street.

President of the Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society, Andrew Woodhouse, has concerns about the impact the ‘simplification’ will have on local residents. Woodhouse said the 311 is already a substandard service.

‘We have very reliable reports from the Waverly depot that bus drivers are purloined off the 311 route when other bus drivers call in sick,’ he said, ‘So our route is treated as a second class route.’
‘Adding this new route will only decrease the quality of service in the area of highest urban density in Australia. Only 30 percent of people have cars here – we rely almost entirely on public transport.’

Elizabeth Bay is also home to a large elderly population, many of whom rely on the 311 bus service to ferry them to Darlinghurst and St. Vincent’s hospital.

Beyond the drawbacks for commuters, Woodhouse is also concerned about the impact on the character of the area through reduced access to local landmarks.
‘From a heritage point of view, it will now no longer go past Elizabeth Bay House, whose viability will be financially threatened because of the lack of extra tourists and visitors to that building,’ he said.
‘It’s a two fingered salute to the people of Woolloomooloo.’

Clover Moore and the 2011 Residents’ Association have made formal submissions to Sydney Buses and the Minister for Transport, John Watkins, stating their opposition to the proposed cut.

State Transit declined to comment on the changes.