Govt's 'secret' report rejects train

LONELY RIDE: John Dykman, of Lismore, regularly catches buses, but has never been on a full one in Lismore.

DAVID NIELSEN

AN internal report purportedly from the taskforce looking into transport options for the North Coast concludes improved bus services are a better option than re-establishing the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the document, entitled 'Cross Border Transport Task Force Submissions Report', was leaked to her.

The leak comes as the NSW Government faces heavy criticism from Northern Rivers residents and community leaders for failing to release the final report of the taskforce, which it has acknowledged exists, but now says it is having re-drafted.

The Submissions Report, which frankly details the taskforce's responses to the views of community stakeholders, suggests it has no intention of recommending reinstating the closed Casino to Murwillumbah line.

“A bus service offers - at a fraction of the cost - a greater variety of timetables, destinations and journey times,” the report says.

“Bus services can deliver an integrated public transport network that serves the whole community, not simply those in close proximity to the rail line.”

The report recommends the transport ministry make bus reform a priority for the region.

Lismore resident and regular local bus user John Dykman said there was not much demand even for existing bus services in the area.

“Sometimes I get on the bus, but I'm the only person on the bus,” he said.

Mr Dykman, who doesn't drive, said he had never caught a full bus in Lismore.

Ms Rhiannon said the State Government knew the findings of its taskforce would be unpopular with local residents.

“The analysis in this leaked document suggests the Government has sat on the report of the taskforce because it knows that its findings would be extremely unpopular with voters who want rail services restored,” she said.