The winners - and the losers !

The introduction of the free shuttle bus system to Wollongong has been well patronised and passenger numbers continue to grow.We now learn that there may be an inevitable cost to the city- a reduction in the number of taxi cabs serving the public.A portion of those using the shuttle buses would certainly have made their trip by taxi and the cab companies are reporting a precipitous drop in bookings since the shuttle service began.If cab drivers can not earn a living and cab owners can not show a profit then the law of commerce says that cab numbers must decrease to fit within a profitable demand framework.It has been suggested that the hours of the free shuttle buses be reduced to prop up cab demand.That is an insane suggestion. The shuttle is an overwhelming success story - and it proves to all forms of government that further extension will make Wollongong a more pleasant and vibrant city.