Epping to Chatswood rail closure: Macquarie University students brace for early ‘travel confusion’
JUST over a fortnight out from the Epping to Chatswood rail shutdown, Macquarie University’s student union fears longer travel times will add to stress levels for many ahead of exams.
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THERE are fears that “travel confusion” will derail university exam preparations as the Epping to Chatswood train shutdown looms large on thousands of students.
Just over a fortnight out from a seven-month rail line closure, Macquarie University’s student union says the disruption from September 30 is set to cause early mayhem for many who are unaware of the transport change.
“We have major concerns around the nature of the construction,” Alex Cullen, from the Student Representative Committee, said.
“We recognise that in the long term, the improved services will be beneficial. But what we’re mainly concerned about is that there’s sufficient support for the initial disruption … sufficient buses, flexibility and responsiveness from Transport for NSW to ensure that the initial change goes smoothly.
“It’s already tricky enough for some students to get to uni, and there are concerns the shutdown is going to add to travel times, with bus delays and more traffic congestion.”
The government expects the upgrade period will add at least 10 minutes to the journey of commuters. However, the Opposition says some commuters could face delays of up to an hour at peak times.
Cullen said students were banking on the overhaul’s teething problems being fixed before the exam period at Macquarie University — which has 40,000 students and 3000 staff — kicks in late next month.
“Students travel from all over Greater Sydney to Macquarie University, and it’s already a long trip for them,” the student rep said. “We’ve had responses from the uni and (Transport for NSW) about this, but there’s a risk of confusion from the students in what’s happening, especially in the first few weeks.
“There’s extra travel time, extra costs and initially there’ll be extra stress.”
A Macquarie University spokeswoman said it was putting in place a number of initiatives, in partnership with TfNSW, to help staff and students cope with the shutdown.
“We have a dedicated station upgrade project team that looks after inquiries and advocates for the needs of the student with regard to the station upgrade period,” the spokeswoman said.
“Staff from Transport for NSW will be on campus this week and October 2-5, from 9am-5pm, to facilitate Opal card top-ups. We’ll have our own Opal card retailer on campus from October as well.
“And through consultation with Transport for NSW, we’ve developed some tangible options to help students avoid travelling to and from uni during the AM and PM peak hours.”
As part of the support programs from early next month, the university will host ‘SHIFT’, a range of student-focused wellbeing, sporting, gaming, entertainment, food and social activities between 5pm and 7pm.
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It is also working on adjusting timetables for Session 1 next year that will support student travel outside the morning peak hour.
And from October 1, the university says it will switch to a new, pay-by-app parking solution just for students that will “save time, money and streamline the process”.
The government’s new distinctive pink Station Link buses, operating on seven routes, will be turn-up-and-go and run every six minutes during peak hour from September 30.
Details: transportnsw.info
