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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 888 ..

Mr Berry: What about from Charnwood to Merici?

MR SMYTH: Let me finish. I will answer your question if you have a supplementary question. The 14,000 students who catch the designated school bus get that ride for one fare. There are 17,000 school students, in the main going to government schools, who would have to make two rides and pay two fares every day, and they pay those fares now. A student in Chisholm, going to Erindale College and paying one fare there and one fare back, is better off than a student who might like to go to Stirling College rather than Phillip College, who has to pay two fares.

Mr Berry: What about from Charnwood to Merici?

MR SMYTH: Those who choose to travel should pay a reasonable fare - and the fares are still reasonable - to complete their trips. Where people make a choice to move further afield, it is reasonable that they pay those fares.

MR BERRY: I have a supplementary question. Minister, you think a jump from $68 to $90 for a term ticket - a $22 or 32 per cent hike - is consistent with your commitment to choice and is fair enough for people who want to use the Catholic education system. How can you possibly think that that is fair - a $22 or 32 per cent hike in the cost of a term ticket for somebody who wants to travel from, say, Charnwood to Daramalan?

MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, the member's question is a good question. How does it work? The whole system is revenue neutral. There are no increases. If this was done as a cynical money grab by the Government, you could stand up and say that reasonably; but that is not so. If people choose to travel further across the zone system, it is fair and reasonable that they pay the extra fare. I think you will find that the system will be welcomed by many Canberrans who do not use the bus service now because they see it as an impediment.

Mr Berry: The Catholic education system will not be too impressed.

MR SMYTH: The Catholic Education Office is more than willing to talk. We had the Transport Advisory Group meeting yesterday and only one person turned up, but we will be holding further discussions with the whole system.

Mr Berry: They are probably disgusted with you.

MR SMYTH: No, they are not disgusted with it. They understand. Catholic parents make choices and make a lot of sacrifices to send their children to the schools of their choice. The system will ensure that those who travel on the buses pay the same rate. What you are saying is that kids who use two route buses to travel to a government school and currently pay two fares should be disadvantaged to the profit of a child going to a Catholic school. I am not sure that there is logic in what you are saying. What you have now is equity, and we will get a better bus service out of it.

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