Commuters unimpressed by $272 'token' gesture amid train feud
People have criticised the NSW Government's decision to put a $272 road fine on hold as largely pointless.
In a bid to ease pressure on road infrastructure, the NSW Government announced on Tuesday transit lanes will be open to all drivers with the $272 fine and four demerit point penalty temporarily suspended until the end of the week.
"This is to assist with traffic flow and help people get to and from work and school safely and quickly," NSW Roads posted on Facebook.
"If you travel in a T2 or T3 lane you will not be fined."
Normally, drivers in the T2 lane need two passengers or more. In T3 lanes it is three or more.
This rule is active depending on the signage but most T, or transit lanes, are active between 6-10am on weekdays to encourage carpooling. Some, such as one on the Gore Hill Freeway, are active 24 hours.
Drivers unimpressed by road change
Online, people were less than impressed by the announcement.
One man said it is a "small token" to make people forget about the "complete disaster" of Sydney's train cancellations.
Others questioned if drivers actually pay attention to transit lanes.
"It would be nice if transit lanes were enforced when it goes back to normal," one man wrote.
One woman said she uses the lanes regardless of how many people are in her car, while another claimed she’s been driving by herself in the T3 lane for the past six years.
Another man complained that the decision was made as fuel prices continue to rise. The price of petrol is increasing at the moment due to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, which has seen global oil prices near $US100 a barrel.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the Nine Network the price hike is likely to be temporary.
The announcement follows a spat between the NSW Government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union. Trains were shutdown on Monday, stranding thousands of commuters.
The announcement of the cancellation came through in the early hours of the morning. Trains remain in use at a limited capacity for the rest of the week with discussions ongoing.
Commuters offered compensation
The transit lanes being opened to all is possibly one of many measures the NSW Government will take to compensate commuters for the transport chaos this week.
Transport Minister David Elliott will announce on Thursday half-price fares during peak hour travel on the Sydney’s rail network and free trips over the weekend, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The reduced fares will reportedly last for a month.
The minister will meet with the union on Thursday.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the middle of the night decision to cancel Monday's trains was "completely unacceptable" but was "100 per cent the right decision".
The premier met Mr Elliott and Transport Secretary Rob Sharp on Wednesday and stipulated that any major decisions in the future had to be conveyed to the minister in writing.
"I made it very clear ... that the current situation is unacceptable," he said.
"They need to sit down with the unions and improve the capacity on the rail network as quickly as possible."
with AAP
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