Gong Shuttle deal will be made before deadline: MP

That’s the expectation of Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward, who said he had been involved in negotiations at all levels of government.

The University of Wollongong and Wollongong City Council had agreed in December to provide a combined $700,000 a year in joint funding for three years to keep the shuttle free.

In April, Transport for NSW said would not be enough – the two Illawarra bodies responded by refusing to kick in any extra money.

It is understood Transport for NSW is looking at ways the Gong Shuttle can remain free with the $700,000 in annual funding.

It is not clear at this stage whether that would prompt any changes, such as a reduction in the days the shuttle runs or its frequency.

Mr Ward has been part of the negotiations, in part because he said he had a good relationship with both the university and council.

The delay in the negotiations was not a surprise for Mr Ward.

“One of the reasons I had the timeline [for the introduction of fares] extended to June 30 was that I anticipated there would be a number of hurdles along the way,” Mr Ward said.

“But just like everything, when I make a commitment I get it done and I fully anticipate that we would have resolved this by the 30th of June.”

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Mr Ward said his aim was to retain the shuttle as fare-free public transport.

“That is my objective of course and I’m working with the department to bring about a solution which would satisfy the various budget constraints of the three organisations but maintaining a free service,” Mr Ward said.

The Liberal MP also criticised Wollongong City Labor councillors for putting forward a motion with a set dollar amount of funding rather than investigating the costs in the first instance, which he said had delayed negotiations.