Clarification
The letter printed in Monday’s edition of the Illawarra Mercury (28 April) under the headline "Is he turning Green?" was solely written solely by Richard Burnett. and not his wife Helga Burnett.
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Growing majority
Richard Burnett letters 28/4 criticise Barry Swan for his “extreme political views “which include his support for the free “Gong Shuttle’.
The shuttle has wide support like other views that Barry’s letters express. Mr Burnett reject his views as utopian that “ only an old time Labor man could imagine “.
Those old time Labor views which they hold in contempt served the people.
Unlike the selfish profit gouging that dominate the policies of the liberals.
Policies that have produced a rich/poor divided society.
Barry Swan has raised issues like exposing the climate deniers and the need for a Royal Commission into the corrupt banks.
And by the way it was the Greens that first raised these issues.
Mr Burnett asks does his support for these issues mean Barry “is turning green”.
If so he belongs to a growing majority that includes the supporters for the Gong Shuttle
Reg Wilding, Wollongong
If the price is right
Richard Burnett does not seem to be familiar with the free bus and the clientele who use the service provided.
It is rarely if ever that the buses are empty including the late evening services.
When travelling from the university terminus I often use the Route 53 bus to ensure a seat.
The university student population is likely to drop if Wollongong does not provide the “school bus” for the university.
This stimulates the economy that drives jobs and growth for Wollongong.
Further there is a complementary relationship between the buses and other local people-mover providers.
The problems that certain local people movers face is due to their monopolist behaviour.
Every bus running in the Illawarra receives a subsidy from the State Government. It is not only the shuttle bus.
The State Government provides $1.5 billion on bus transport for both the Government buses and services provided by private operators. It receives 28 cents for every dollar spent.
The economy will benefit if consumers can be enticed to the shops. The shuttle bus illustrates that the public will use the bus services if the price is right.
Ben Morris, Wollongong
Know what it’s like to struggle
Reply to the letter by John Macleod, "WANT TO HALVE ELECTRICITY BILLS" Mercury, Thursday April 26, 2018.
While I make no apology for supporting the construction of a new coal-fired power station to both make electricity cheaper and more reliable. I congratulate Mr Macleod on his latest letter to this paper.
John, rightly points out the numerous energy agencies in Australia that are loaded with bureaucratic corporate "fat-cats" on huge salaries and entitlements.
These people do not know what it means to struggle to cover basic living expenses while paying increasing power and energy costs.
Just like Al Gore these "carpetbaggers" would not have a clue, John!
Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow
No strings attached
Why should Wollongong's Council and University have to pay to keep the so called local area free bus on the road?
I went on my computer and checked on Newcastle's free service and from what I could understand their bus is free no strings attached.
Trevor Evans, Oak Flats
