The Shuttle !

Later this month Wollongong will gain an innovation that most cities can only dream about - free public transport !

A stream of free Shuttle buses will connect Fairy Meadow in the north with the entertainment district, the city CBD and the Mall, the railway station, the hospital precinct, and the University.

Buses will run both ways at ten minute intervals at peak and twenty minute intervals off peak - and the service will be available 7 am to 10 pm weekdays and 8 am to 6 pm weekends.

The whole idea is to free up parking in the city by reducing the number of cars entering the CBD, saving people money by driving less and making Wollongong a vibrant, friendly city that can be accessed by public transport - for free !

This marvellous idea will only work if people make up their minds to use it - and we are a lazy lot, set in our ways and almost married to our cars. There is a chance that the project will fail and be discontinued if patronage becomes a myth.

We complain about the cost of petrol and we complain about the scarcity of parking. It would make perfect sense to park the car out of the city centre, hop on the Shuttle and do whatever we intend to do - and then take the Shuttle to return to our car.

Most people will agree that this would be a good idea. Actually doing it may be something entirely different.

If we want a better city with free public transport we can have it - provided we use it ! Unfortunately - human nature being what it is - it is likely that the majority of people will simply pay lip service - and continue to use their cars to access the city.

If that happens - and the Shuttle fails - we will not be " the city of innovation " - we will be just plain - simply - stupid !