Following on from other letters regarding the new public hospital at Byron Bay, I would like to raise the issue of transport, or lack of it.
Recently I spent the morning there for some appointments, having caught a bus as I do not drive. As there was no return bus back into Byron for 2.5 hours after my last appointment, I ordered a taxi which cost me $20.70!
The previous week I had to attend an appointment there, I missed the bus and ended up hitch-hiking- something I haven’t done in many years, as I didn’t want to miss my appointment.
Given the distance from town, and that the Community Health and Dental Services are also located at the new site, I think it’s fair enough to request more adequate public transport options.
I can’t imagine how the clients from Mullumbimby are managing their trips to the Byron Hospital, now that they no longer have a local one.
Phoebe Havyatt, Byron Bay
I can understand you dilemma Phoebe. It is interesting that when improved bus services to and from Lismore were proposed all but one of the four relevant Councils provided support – the exception was the “Green” Byron Shire. If they are unwilling to even write a letter of support for better services, I expect you will have a long wait when next you need to use buses in the Bay. Much easier to talk about reviving rail or rattling fiscal sabres at Adani, then to actually do something that might involve genuine investment in improved public transport.