New day dawns on 311 protest

Around 30 residents of Elizabeth Bay schlepped a stack of placards up to Martin Place by 7.30am last Tuesday to continue their protest against cuts to the 311 bus route. Their message was caught by the cameras of  Channel 7’s Sunrise  program and beamed out to a wider audience.

The rally, organised by the 2011 Residents Association, was aimed at cuts which would disconnect the route from Circular Quay (making it terminate at Gresham St instead), and withdraw public transport from many disabled and elderly residents by severing the loop through lower Elizabeth Bay from the bus route.

The STA says new, larger disabled-access buses are too big for the narrow, hilly streets, but Bay residents with mobility problems say it is absurd to deny them public transport in the name of improving disabled access.

“Hundreds of people signed petitions against the cuts in the last few days, and more than 100 people attended a local residents meeting in late March,” said Sacha Blumen, President of 2011.  “In addition, local Councillors support the campaign.”

“It makes no sense to disconnect the route from Circular Quay,” said Dr Blumen.  “This is a no-brainer – the 311 bus could still stop at Circular Quay and terminate at Gresham St.”