New TAGs make car-less travel easier and safer

Friday, 4 September 2009

Navigating around the City of Ryde without a car just got easier, with the introduction of new, pocket-sized Transport Access Guides (TAG).   Each TAG map shows bus routes, train stations, walking and bike routes, landmarks, services, parking for bikes.

City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Vic Tagg, said:  “Traffic congestion is a clear concern of the community coming from a recent Ryde 2030 survey, so encouraging fewer car trips means less noise, pollution and traffic congestion. 

“By encouraging people to look at all the transport options, the new TAGs have the potential to improve our quality of life. Walking and cycling not only improves health and well being, they also create a stronger feeling of ‘community’ and can save money as well.

TAGs for each of three key centres – Gladesville, Eastwood and Macquarie Centre – are available from Customer Service, Libraries and shopping centres.  A City Wide TAG, providing a broad overview of transport options for the entire Ryde LGA, is available only online.

Shopping Centre TAGs for Macquarie Centre, Eastwood and Gladesville show the relationship of the destination to transport options:

• Transport – bus, train, taxi.  Interchanges, routes, bus numbers and on-destinations, Transport Infoline, bicycle/car parking
• Walking and cycling – tracks for commuting and recreation 
• Pedestrian access/crossings, wheelchair access
• Services/features - post offices, hospital, churches, public toilets, parks.

City Wide TAG (online version only)
The City Wide TAG provides a broad overview of the Ryde local government area with bus routes, rail stations, pedestrian access, walking and cycling tracks, plus information on important local characteristics linking each of the key shopping centres.

Schools TAG
Schools TAGs, providing information on how to travel safely and healthily to and from school by walking, bus and train, are part of the Go Active 2 School program.  The City of Ryde has partnered with the NSW Health and local primary schools to produce the first of a series of Schools TAGs.

TAGs are an important component in the City of Ryde’s Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy and were developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders including key advisory groups, government agencies, shopping centre managements, schools and local chambers of commerce.

Transport Access Guides