The Blue Mountains Commuter and Transport Users Association (BMCTUA) will seek community feedback at its meetings at Springwood and Katoomba next week after mixed reports from across Sydney following the new schedule’s first weekday runs.

Another hot issue at the meetings will be proposed station staff cuts announced earlier this year as uncertainty remains about the eventual impact on Mountains stations.

“The association is not very impressed with the reduction of hours in the Blue Mountains. The consultation process was obvious by its absence,” said BMCTUA secretary Paul Trevaskis.

Lawson resident and commuter, Frances Margetson, said the cuts were likely to have a negative impact in a number of areas.

“The reduction of staffing hours at stations is very short-sighted when you consider that governments at all levels are supposed to be committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing public transport usage,” she said.

“People need to feel safe if they are going to catch trains more frequently, especially older people and carers with young children. In addition, who will be there to assist people who require the use of a ramp to get on or get off a train?”

Member for Blue Mountains Phil Koperberg is himself still waiting for a final decision on the cuts after five representations to Transport Minister David Campbell. Up to 10 Mountains stations could be impacted with some left completely unmanned during off-peak periods.

Mr Koperberg has asked the minister to ensure three things: that staffing remains at an appropriate level to deal with passenger volumes at any particular time; that amenities such as waiting and rest rooms are available to commuters; and thirdly, that station maintenance including cleaning and security is not compromised by the changes.

Another commuter advocate group, the Blue Mountains Sustainable Transport Alliance, has applauded Mr Koperberg’s efforts but remains extremely wary of the upheavals.

The alliance has encouraged any commuters who have their own concerns about the cuts to make a complaint to RailCorp on their Transport Information line (131-500).

Next week’s BMCTUA meetings will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, October 21 at Springwood Sports Club and at 1pm on Saturday, October 24 at Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre.