Changes designed to “detangle the network” and improve reliability on the Inner West, South and Western Lines instead reduced citybound services for customers at several stations.
Restore the Inner West Line Community Action Group spokesman Roydon Ng said passengers between Carramar and Berala can no longer catch direct services to the city from Liverpool.
Prior to the 2013 changes, customers from Berala could get to Central station via Regents Park on the Liverpool line in 36 minutes – now, that journey on the Bankstown line takes 49 minutes.
“Transport for NSW has failed to provide concrete evidence showing that the 2013 timetable change improved reliability on the Inner West, South and Western lines,” Mr Ng said.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said affected commuters could still access direct services to the city via the Bankstown line.
“Customers at Carramar and Berala both have direct services to the city via the Bankstown line,” she said.
“Customers at Carramar can board a train direct to the city on the Bankstown line – customers at Berala can board a train direct to the city via the Bankstown line or interchange at Lidcombe for direct services.”
But Mr Ng said this was just an excuse.
“They have cut the services on the Liverpool line via Regents Park, which is the shortest and fastest route,” he said.
“Now that those services aren’t there, there are two trains an hour with a 30 minute wait time in the evenings – so this is a very negligent response.”
The Transport for NSW spokeswoman said reliability had improved on the Inner West, South and Western lines with fewer trains skipping stations or running late.
“This reduces delays experienced by customers,” she said.
“Transport for NSW is committed to providing the best possible services for customers and we will continue to monitor the network to see how we can make further improvements.”
