MEMBER for Newcastle Jodi McKay has slammed the Transport Ministry over its refusal to provide funding for the relocation of bus stops for the city's new bus network.
The new routes are due to begin in October and require the relocation or installation of between 30 and 40 bus stops in Newcastle and 11 in Lake Macquarie.
Ms McKay said the new routes were designed after a State Government review of public transport in Newcastle and, although bus stops and shelters are local government responsibilities, it was unfair to leave the entire cost to be covered by the cash-strapped Newcastle City Council.
"Effectively we gave them a new plan for buses in the city and gave them a couple of months' notice to put in 40 new bus stops and fund it themselves," she said.
"It is completely unreasonable. We [State Government] should help pay for something we instigated."
Ms McKay said she had sought funding for 17 bus stop relocations, at cost of about $85,000, from Transport Minister and Deputy Premier John Watkins, but had been refused.
"I find that extraordinary," she said.
"It just shows the level of bureaucracy that is involved in the transport portfolio.
"I haven't given up yet.
"If I have to go to the Premier, I will."
A spokeswoman for Mr Watkins said local councils were responsible for bus stop infrastructure and pointed out Lake Macquarie Council was paying for its new stops.
"Newcastle Buses is working with Newcastle Council and the Ministry of Transport to ensure funding for the new bus stops," she said.
"However, the NSW Government will continue to contribute to the cost of bus stops on strategic corridors."