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TRANSFER OF LATE NIGHT TAXI OPERATIONS INTO THE PARRAMATTA INTERCHANGE

TRANSFER OF LATE NIGHT TAXI OPERATIONS INTO THE PARRAMATTA INTERCHANGE

As part of the Government’s ‘Hassle Free Nights’ initiative, it is intended to move late night taxi operations into the Parramatta Bus interchange from Friday, 2 April 2010.

The proposal originally arose out of the work of the Parramatta Crime Prevention Partnership which formed a Transport Committee to investigate safer and more expeditious ways of moving late night patrons from the Parramatta CBD.

In order to ensure that the taxi operations do not conflict with bus operations, it was decided to limit the transfer of taxi services between the hours of 9pm and 5am.

In addition, as manager of interchange operations, RailCorp organised for a detailed risk assessment of the proposal in August 2009. This was attended by the representatives of four bus companies which us the interchange (Veolia, Hopkinson, Hillsbus/Westbus and the State Transit Authority), a representative of the NSW taxi council, RailCorp officers and officers from NSW Transport & Infrastructure.

The risk assessment concluded there was a low risk of any interference between bus and taxi operations in the interchange provided:

·        Taxi operations were restricted to the eastern end of the interchange (A4 and B4 bus stops);

·        There were sufficient communications provided to bus and taxi operators regarding the proposal; and

·        Additional signage was provided for the guidance of taxi operators in particular