When the state government closed the one daily train service on the Casino to Murwillumbah line, which records show was used by 130,000 people per year, we were told it was too costly to maintain the line and service.
Research shows the coach service that replaced the train is costing taxpayers an average of $1.2m per year to transport an average of 672 people per year. That’s 56 people per month costing $1,785 per person per trip to and from the train at Casino.
As if that’s not bad enough, if Byron Council are successful in their revamped grant application, taxpayers will be paying $42m, or $2.8m per kilometre, to destroy the multi-billion-dollar train line for a bike track from Crabbes Creek to Mullumbimby.
Research shows this recreational bike track in Tweed is used by a few cyclists in fine weather. People are not using it to get to work, school or social events at night as the isolation and those speeding on electric bikes means it’s not safe. Many businesses and cafes in Murwillumbah, Burringbar and Mooball have closed, including cafes opposite train stations and bike track.
It’s one thing for people to talk about economic and transport benefits for the millions already spent on this bike track but people can see the reality is very different.
So while our towns are stuffed with monster gas guzzlers and dangerous traffic gridlock, and many are still traumatised from the worst flood in white history, if locals are able to find a parking space in their town they’ll be told to pay for the privilege.
In this fast growing region with millions of tourists, when thousands have been campaigning for decades for upgraded train services on the valuable train line, and ignored, there’s something seriously very wrong with politicians’ and our councils’ priorities, and the eyewatering amounts of our money spent/wasted for no environmental, social or cost benefits.
Louise Doran, Ocean Shores
• According to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail website, the average current usage of the Tweed section of the rail trail is 8,500 visitors per month, over 2,000 per week. – Letters Ed
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
