Anthony Roberts MP, Member for Lane Cove today condemned the proposal put forward by Sydney Ferries to yet again cut services.

"This might seem an 'easy fix' for the Sydney Ferries in their efforts to cut costs but this will have an impact upon the professional, social and business lives of my constituents" Mr Roberts said today.

"In particular school students seem to be the big losers in the Sydney Ferries cuts.

"The plans by Sydney Ferries to alter the early morning Parramatta Line, and the morning and evening Balmain/Woolwich Lines is just another example of disengagement from the communities needs.

"We should be working to build a safer and more amenable environment for children as they travel back and forth to that most important of our nations investments: Education.

"Parents will be forced to use private transport to get their children to and from school, further clogging up our roads.

"Likewise people who have to work back late in the night in the city or those coming back from patronising our States vibrant Arts industry will have to resort to private transport.

“This proposal is all more amazing when you consider it has been the policy of the State Government, as well as authorities such as City of Sydney Council, to encourage people to take public transport rather than use private vehicles.

"This is yet another example of an out of touch Government for whom a lack of community consultation is virtually a policy.

"A more cynical view is that Sydney ferries may be trying to rid itself of young school students who don’t pay for travel to make way for adults who do have to pay.

"Regardless I believe that Sydney Ferries has a duty of care like the rest of the community to provide and safe environment for children to get to and from school. Mr Roberts said.