Blue Mountains Commuter and Transport Users Association (BMCTUA) spokesperson Paul Trevaskis said members raised many issues concerning rail services at consultation meetings held last week.

“The association believes to address global warming and reduce greenhouse gases a more affirmative approach to rail services must be taken,” Mr Trevaskis said.

“Issues raised included failure of the T Card contract, congestion especially between St Marys and Penrith and its effect on intercity services, refurbishment of carriages and service standards.”

Mr Trevaskis said BMCTUA finds getting any improvements in rail services “extremely difficult at this stage”.

“The association will pursue all issues members raised to the benefit of Blue Mountains residents,” he said.

Liberal spokesperson for Blue Mountains Michael Paag, a rail commuter from Blackheath, said a Parramatta City Council study shows more than 60 per cent of people who live in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains and work in Parramatta commute by car.

“Less than 20 per cent commute by rail (according to the study),” Mr Paag said.

“You only have to drive down the Great Western Highway and the M4 during morning peak hour to see the huge number of single occupant cars heading east,” Mr Paag said.

“The State Government has cut our express train services, significantly increased fares, drastically slowed journey times and allowed overcrowding on Mountains services.

“It’s no wonder people are using their cars to get to work.

“Labor’s policy of running down our public transport system while building more tollways shows it is not serious about tackling climate change.”

Last Friday the Victorian Government introduced free rail travel for Melbourne commuters prior to 7 am on weekdays as two major tollways in Sydney increased their fees by 50 cents.