Operating a local or regional rail service is not a life or death question.
It is rather a question about individual rational choice, in term of it’s good/bad for me so I am in favour/against of it, or a collective rational choice, in terms of it is good for the region as a whole, our communities, and therefor I support it. Striving for collective longterm benefits are rational too.
Having a plentitude of personal freedoms in our little paradise does not require to look for more of it, more entertainment, more personal benefits. Rather making inclusiveness our aim.
Enlightened thinking does not end there, at the thinking bit, but rather requires actions which translates into better outcomes on the ground.
Lazy thinking stops asking for something better, it falls for the obvious, the demagogues, it’s fascinated by slogans, in our case such as ‘no one will use it’, as the opposite is difficult to prove right away, or ‘no one will pay for it’.
Vision is needed and there is aplenty in our midst, to imagine a different future, pared with a strong conviction, to overcome any bribary/blackmail attempts, such as ‘you have to vote for this, or you loose any funding’.
Plus critical thinking to overcome the shortterm money grab mentallity cloaked in some form of fiscal responsibillity. And a sense for some communal benefits to strive for a rail service in the northern rivers, which has socio-economic benefits, that outweigh any costs.
Jens Krause, Byron Bay
Everywhere south of Casino the XPT and frieght trains still run, people are enjoying the cheap travel and staying off the roads. The trains are fantastic.
Byron needs to wake up and get the rail back in order. There is still time to get back ‘on track’.
*freight
Too much common sense from you, Jan. It was the LACK OF that took the train off our tracks, and sadly, an even greater lack that is preventing it from returning PRONTO !
We could circumvent the supposed “money reason” in restoring it, by the Northern Rivers starting a NORTHERN RIVERS “RETURN THE TRAIN” LOTTERY.
It was a lottery that built the Sydney Opera House; it can be a Lottery that gives us back our Trains – and since we would start it, the System would belong to us – and not only would all of NSW benefit – but also the whole of Australia who choose to visit our region – and the countless thousands from Overseas who would have additional, easier reasons to visit.
Passengers AND Freight is such an obvious answer. Let’s hope Enlightenment wins over those who lack the vision to advance our situation sensibly, and with foresight rather than misguided reasons to remain blinded to the benefits of maintaining our Railway, and extending it from Casino through Byron, Tweed and Coolangatta to Brisbane.