Balmain’s Public Transport Wins: Ferry Returns and Push for Better Buses

Kobi Shetty Leads Community Campaigns to Improve Balmain Public Transport and Cut Peninsula Congestion

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Kobi Shetty MP at Bus Stop

Dear 2041 Locals,

I’m Kobi Shetty, the Greens Member for Balmain and your local representative in NSW Parliament. 

I feel so lucky to live in this vibrant, caring community with my family. I ran for Parliament to be a strong voice for our community and to create positive, meaningful change. 

I know one of the most common pain points for our community here on the peninsula is increased traffic congestion – particularly after the opening of the disastrous Rozelle Interchange. 

The government issued their response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Rozelle Interchange in November last year, and I’m continuing to push them to act quickly to implement the recommendations. 

One important part of the recommendations from the inquiry was to significantly improve access to public transport here on the peninsula, to help reduce congestion. Living so close to the CBD, we should have access to world-class public transport that is frequent and reliable. 

Working alongside you over the last year, we’ve successfully pushed for several key improvements to help increase the frequency and reliability of public transport – including securing the return of the Balmain West Ferry to Elliott Street Wharf, which is coming this year. 

This huge win was only possible thanks to years of sustained public pressure from our community. Thank you to the thousands of people who signed petitions, wrote to Ministers, or otherwise joined the push to get this ferry back in service. The reinstated service will allow for a quicker, easier, and more sustainable way to travel to the city. 

While this was a fantastic start, we know more work is needed to keep improving public transport, so I'm continuing to push for improved bus services for the Inner West. 

Since the former government sold off our bus services to private operators, we’ve seen more late and cancelled buses than ever before. Unreliable bus services are forcing more people into their cars and onto an already congested Victoria Road. The private contracts are due to expire in 2026, and I’m working with community advocates to keep the pressure on the government to bring these services back into public hands. 

We also need to make sure that we’re making public transport as easy as possible for everyone to use. That’s why this year I’m continuing to push the NSW Government to allow dogs on ferries. 

With so many people in our community owning dogs, it’s time for transport rules to catch up. Global cities across the world allow pets on public transport so that people have a real alternative to jumping in their cars. Allowing people to bring their furry friends on the ferry is a simple step in the right direction. 

Together, we can push for world-class public transport and genuine action to reduce congestion on the peninsula. 

To stay in the loop on local issues and to get involved in our campaigns, including our push for world-class public transport, please visit our website: kobishetty.org/join_our_campaigns

I look forward to seeing you out and about soon!

Yours sincerely,

Kobi Shetty, Member for Balmain