Half a million riders enjoy Western Sydney ’ s award-winning on demand public transport service
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Half a million riders enjoy Western Sydney ’ s award-winning on demand public transport service
The Cooee Busways on demand service in Western Sydney is celebrating a significant milestone , carrying its 500,000th passenger in Western Sydney .
Launched in May 2019 by Busways and Transport for NSW , the innovative service was designed as pointto-hub transport around the new Sydney Metro West rail service and the existing rail stations and quickly became the fastest growing on demand service worldwide .
It uses a sophisticated app powered by Via , the world ’ s leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions . Operating Monday to Friday from 5 a . m . until 9 p . m ., Cooee provides commuters with first- and last- mile connections to major transit hubs , such as Schofields Train Station , Sydney Metro stations including Tallawong and Rouse Hill and local shopping centres . For four years , the popular On- Demand service has been served as an affordable , convenient , and reliable transportation option for residents of The Ponds , Schofields and Kellyville Ridge regions .
It was the first in the world to integrate regular route selection into the on-demand options and has been expanded twice to include shopping centre and rail hubs as well
as a broader pick-up area based on customer demand .
Regular customer Natasha took over 90 trips in the last three months and gives Cooee Busways a five-star rating .
“ I was very impressed using the Cooee Busways service from day one to now . It has been an incredible service for the public and a great experience that I am grateful for – thank you to the friendly Cooee Busways team for their amazing work .”
Donna Frith , Busways Head of Marketing & Customer Experience says it has been a steady climb to the milestone .
“ Reaching half a million passengers is testament to the appetite we ’ ve seen for more accessible and customer-focused public transport options ,” says
Ms Frith .
“ Throughout the running of this service , we are constantly tweaking our algorithm to optimise the solution and provide the best value-for-money first and last mile service .”
“ While being an app-powered service , we hear often from customers about the impact our friendly drivers have on their commute . Thank you and congratulations to them for reaching this milestone with an impressive average 4.8 customer satisfaction rating .”
Celebrating & recognising CWA
There were smiles all around at the recent Country Women ’ s Association of NSW Nepean Group Conference and Annual General Meeting . Congratulations to the newly elected 2023 / 24 Nepean Group Office Bearers .
The Nepean Group of CWA has branches in Blacktown , Castile Hill , Fairfield , Galston , Greystanes , Kurrajong , Hawkesbury Evening , Richmond , Toongabbie and Windsor .
The guest speakers were Leonie Fish the CWA of NSW State Social Issues Officer , Robyn Preston MP State Member for Hawkesbury and Tony Bleasdale OAM the Mayor of Blacktown City Council . It was great to have them all join us in celebrating and recognising the work of CWA in Western Sydney .
In her keynote speech , Leonie Fish discussed the current issues that CWA of NSW Social Issues Committee are actively pursuing with both Federal and State governments . These include the following :
• CWA is continuing to monitor the issues of domestic violence and raising awareness about the importance of recognising coercive control in these situations .
• Improved aged care dental and oral health . Good oral health is fundamental to overall health and wellbeing . Without it , a person ’ s general quality of life is compromised .
CWA of NSW Nepean Group Executive Group with Tony Bleasedale OAM Mayor of Blacktown City Council , and Robyn Preston MP Member for Hawkesbury .
• Reform of advertising regulations for online gambling . Most Australians have expressed concern about the availability of gambling and its impacts on the community .
• The national housing crisis facing women . There are many women finding themselves in a position of economic disadvantage and urgent action is needed .
• Sponsorship of international nurses to relocate . The shortage of nurses in regional and remote areas of NSW could be addressed by supporting international nurses whilst undertaking their Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency ( Ahpra ) registration .
• NSW Will and Enduring Power of Attorney Register . It is proposed that an online registry would simplify the processes of storing and retrieval of a Will . Finding a deceased person ’ s latest Will can be a complicated process . To find out more about the work of the CWA of NSW or to find a branch near you , go to www . cwaofnsw . org . au .
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26 ISSUE 102 // DECEMBER 2023 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT