Illawarra Labor MPs, Ryan Park and Paul Scully have written to the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian MP, requesting that she meet an urgent delegation of Wollongong stakeholders over the Government’s surprise decision to impose standard Opal fares on commuters using the Free Gong Shuttle.

The Government announced the decision to impose fares on the successful free transport service from 29 January 2018.

The MPs told the Premier that not a single stakeholder in Wollongong supported the Government’s decision.

Public statements since last Wednesday from the University of Wollongong, Illawarra Business Chamber, Transport Workers Union, South Coast Labour Council and Wollongong City Council have condemned the decision.

Even Liberal Councillors on Wollongong City Council, which is holding an extraordinary meeting on Monday evening, have opposed their Government’s decision to impose fares.

Mr Scully will address the Council’s meeting on Monday during public participation.

Already over 13,000 signatures on petitions have been gathered since last Wednesday on Change.Com

Mr Scully and Mr Park have also launched a petition which complies with the Standing Orders of the New South Wales Parliament so it can be formally tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

The MPs told the Premier in their letter that anger in the City of Wollongong over the Government’s surprise decision to impose Opal fares on the Gong Shuttle services was “palpable”.

Comments attributable to Ryan Park MP:

“The Government must reverse this outrageous decision.

“It’s now clear that the Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance intends to ignore the level of anger in Wollongong since last Wednesday.

“The Premier must take charge of this issue and overrule the arrogance of her Minister.”

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“The Government has no electoral mandate or justification for lobbing this decision on the people of Wollongong.

“Anger on the streets of Wollongong is absolutely red hot.  No-one supports this decision.

“This decision was made without any consultation whatsoever, despite the Premier, as Transport Minister, pledging that the current Gong Shuttle service would “continue forever more”.

“The Premier has a responsibility to face the people, listen to their anger, and reverse this unjustifiable about-face by her Minister for Transport.”