THE cancellation of ferry services on October 25 was the latest barb in the appalling treatment of residents by Keolis Downer and Transport NSW. While the Stockton Ferry trip may be a delightful three-minute journey for families in Newcastle, it is a vital mode of transport for the Stockton community and commuters from the region to access work, school and health care.
The general disregard for users is shameful. While buses may provide an alternative, how did people with bikes and pets get home? In addition to the scheduled timetable changes, there has been a marked increase in services being cancelled without notice. For example, on October 1 the ferry service from Stockton stopped at 9.10am until 10.10am without warning and no alternate offered. This resulted in residents being late for work, missed one-off medical appointments and missed connections to buses and trains.
