Western Sydney Community Forum Logo
Text to speech

Latest News & Media

Proposed Changes to Public Transport Fares

Media ReleaseTransport

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released its proposed package of  changes to public transport fares. The purpose of the changes is to deliver fairer, more efficient and more integrated fares across all services on which the Opal card can be used.

Western Sydney Community Forum’s Chief Executive, Billie Sankovic, states that “it would appear the proposals from the IPART will inevitably impact on commuters across Western Sydney who rely on public transport to journey to work and access essential services”

“IPART is clear that while the recommended changes will reduce costs for some commuters,
particularly for those taking multi-mode journeys, it will make travel more expensive for those who travel longer distances”

“The net result could well be that commuters in Western Sydney bear a significant proportion of the increase in costs, and more so for those living in the outer lying areas of the region including Penrith and the Blue Mountains.”

“Any re-distribution of transport fares as proposed by IPART, must not impact negatively and shift the cost burden to vulnerable groups such as older  people, young people and those on low incomes who use public transport to get to work and access essential services. We are not confident the proposed changes have considered this consequence in enough detail.”

Western Sydney Community Forum will be providing feedback to IPART on the draft fare reform package to ensure commuters in Western Sydney are not disadvantaged as a result of the proposed changes.

Related posts

Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
A guy holding a boomerang looking at smoke with people watching
Latest NewsMedia Release
Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.
A gentleman holding a microphone to a woman speaking
AgeingBusinessCommunity DevelopmentDisabilityEventsGovernanceLatest NewsReformTargeted Earlier Intervention ReformTransportYouthZEST
Western Sydney’s everyday heroes were in the spotlight at the 9th Annual ZEST Awards on 15 February, celebrating exceptional people and projects in the community.   Led by Western Sydney Community Forum with major partners Western Sydney University, National Australia Bank, City of Parramatta Council, and Wentworth Community Housing, the ZEST Awards showcase Western Sydney’s inspiring stories of resilience, strength and innovation. 
A man speaking on a podium with two woman on each of his side sitting down and focusing on his speech
AgeingCommunity DevelopmentDisabilityEventsLatest NewsReformTargeted Earlier Intervention ReformTransport
On Wednesday 7 November, WSCF staff attended the Healthy Ageing Forum in Granville, hosted by Multicultural NSW, facilitated by Granville State member Tony Issa MP, with panelists includng the Minister for Multiculturalism, the Hon. Ray Williams MP and the Minister for Ageing, the Hon. Tanya Davies MP.
Meeting room with people concentrating on the meeting
AgeingBusinessCommunity DevelopmentDisabilityEventsGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsReformTargeted Earlier Intervention ReformTransportYouth
The Communities of Change Roadshows are underway, delivering key insights from the Communities of Change Report, throughout the local government areas of Western Sydney. The Roadshow sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the report with WSCF specialists and facilitators, specifically relating the data to current and future service delivery in local government areas. 
Equity and the state budget
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
The NSW Government released its much-anticipated Budget this week. I was excited. We had the recent signing of the Western Sydney City Deal. We saw a strong public discourse of governing ‘with heart’.  And we have an election(s) looming. I was excited and keen to hear how this would all play out in reality, to get to the heart of priorities across Western Sydney and beyond, in NSW. What I found is that this Budget, in the main, begins to address some of the infrastructure priorities of the region but has some considerable way to go before it gets close to being a Budget that will foster, sustain and improve community wellbeing and liveability.

Recent posts

Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
A guy holding a boomerang looking at smoke with people watching
Latest NewsMedia Release
Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.
When you notice a change, no matter how small, RU OK ? DAY banner with a guy looking at another sad looking guy with empathy on the left side
Latest News
Held annually, this national day is committed to starting conversations surrounding mental health, acting as a catalyst for community connection and support. This day advocates for not just a onetime check in to ask “RUOK?” but asks of us to collectively support others regularly each day of the year, especially those who may be struggling with the ups and downs of life.
What difference will you make as a leader
Latest News
The Generation Community program has had an outstanding effect on young leaders who had partaken in it. Western Sydney Community Forum is serious about service delivery and contributes by organising courses which help leaders of our community facilitate a better understanding of their visions.
Book with title of 'Why you need affordable translations' stacked on its sides along with other books
Latest News
Kamusta! Hola! Marhaba! How many languages are spoken in your local government area, organisation or amongst the people you serve? What steps are you taking to connect with them in their native tongue? Who can help you connect? There is one simple answer, translation services! Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF) offers quality document translations services to all organisations, charities and businesses ranging from small to large enterprises.
Skip to content