A REGULAR user of the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre bus terminal has suggested an alternative pick up point for Greyhound passengers is needed, in light of the terminal being shut.
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Barb Smith uses the service to travel to Sydney regularly.
She said simply closing the terminal was not good enough and that it posed safety risks to passengers.
Mrs Smith, who is 70 years old, said she was angered by council’s response to a recent story claiming the terminal had been shut in recent weeks as a result of vandalism.
“The vandalism might be true,” she said. “But the terminal has been closed for about 18 months.”
Mrs Smith said at times a taxi driver, who delivers her to catch the bus at 2.40am, had waited with her until his next call, not wanting to leave her alone at the terminal.
“The bus leaves at 3.05am in the summer months and your tickets state you have to be there 20 minutes before it leaves,” she said.
“It’s not uncommon for the taxi driver to wait with me until he gets his next call because he is concerned about me being there by myself.”
Mrs Smith said she understood the reasons behind the terminal being closed.
“You wouldn’t want to open it (the terminal) if it was going to be vandalised and you had to employ a security guard for a couple of hours in the very early morning to watch over only one or two passengers,” she said.
“I can understand that, but it’s not good enough to leave people waiting out in the cold and exposed to other dangerous situations, especially when the majority of them are elderly.”
When The Leader inquired about the situation at the terminal following the Tamworth Country Music Festival, council said a review of the facility was being undertaken.
Mrs Smith said she plans to make a submission before the review takes place and urged others who use the terminal to do the same.
She plans to suggest the United Service Station on Goonoo Goonoo Rd as an alternative pick up point.
“It is open 24/7, there is an attendant, shelter, food and drinks available and other amenities like toilets,” she said.
“The other benefit is that the coach stops there to pick up freight on its way too.”
A spokesperson for Greyhound told The Leader drop off and pick up points for the service were determined by council.
Council’s corporate and governance director Robert Charlesworth said the review of the terminal’s opening hours and usage would be under way soon.
He urged anyone who uses the service and has suggestions to email their comments and suggestions through to trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
