Shadow spokeswoman for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian and Nationals upper house leader Duncan Gay, met with local representatives in Dubbo today to discuss the challenges faced by residents living with limited public transport options and to promote the NSW Liberals and Nationals Community Transport (CT) policy.

The Coalition plans to double CT funding via the Ministry of Transport by $12 million dollars over four years.

It would also establish a “one stop shop” within the Ministry of Transport for CT providers to improve communication, efficiency and reduce unnecessary administration costs; establish an appropriate driver accreditation framework to ensure CT providers can enhance their services and ensure utmost safety of volunteers, employees and clients.

As well, the Coalition will ensure appropriate data collection so that proper assessment is made on an ongoing basis of unmet community transport needs in both health and non-health related services.

Dubbo Community Transport serviced about 350 people in the Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine and Wellington Local Government areas in the October - December period last year, which equalled nearly 5000 passenger trips.

“That’s a lot of strain being put on a limited number of volunteers,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The Dubbo Community Transport Organisation would greatly benefit from the Liberals and Nationals policy of a significant funding boost.

“It’s terrible that Dubbo Community Transport is forced to decline 3 or 4 people each week because the funds are not stretching far enough to meet demand.

“It’s important to increase funding for those people that are unnecessarily falling through the gap.”

Mr Gay said the NSW Liberals and Nationals were committed to providing the services the Community Transport program deserves.

“It’s often not easy living in remote communities, and for many, Community Transport services is their only means of getting around.”