The Berejiklian government is spending $300,000 a year on a shuttle bus so senior Roads and Maritime Services "fat cats" can ride for free between two RMS offices.
But less than six months after it began, the government could be about to scrap the shuttle bus, the existence of which caused controversy in Wollongong as the community fights to keep its free "Gong Shuttle" from becoming a paid service.
On Tuesday, Labor leader Luke Foley revealed documents that showed the NSW government was paying $303,000 a year for the RMS shuttle bus.
RMS employees can catch a free shuttle to take them the five kilometres between their offices in Rozelle and the Sydney CBD.
The shuttle service was revealed in documents the opposition received under a freedom of information request.
According to the documents, the shuttle began running in July this year and runs three times a day.
The cost of the free ride to government is around $5.50 per passenger - meaning it is budgeted to carry around 55,000 passengers a year.
Mr Foley described the bus as a "secret shuttle just for Gladys Berejiklian's fat cats".
"This is the shuttle that should be axed - not the free Gong Shuttle," Mr Foley told the Illawarra Mercury.
"You just can't justify this amount of money being spent on a very small number of Berejiklian government employees."
The free Gong Shuttle carries nearly 3 million passengers per year at a cost to the government of around $1 per trip.
After being made aware of the free RMS shuttle, Roads Minister Melinda Pavey decided it was too expensive.
"I am not happy with the cost of this service," Ms Pavey said.
"I immediately requested the department examine and determine what other options are available to ensure staff can get to and from work, including the existing light rail and bus services.
"I have spoken to the Transport Minister Andrew Constance to explore the possibility of extending a public transport service to the area."
The minister's move pre-empts Mr Foley's pledge to scrap the secret shuttle if elected.
Ms Pavey also objected to Mr Foley's characterisation of the service.
"It is incredibly offensive of Luke Foley to insult and belittle dedicated workers, accusing them of being fat cat bureaucrats, just to score cheap political points," Ms Pavey said.
Wollongong Labor MP Paul Scully said he wasn't aware of the government funding other free buses for the exclusive use of public servants.
"But I'm looking out for others because where there's one there's bound to be more," Mr Scully said.
"When we found it we thought it was quite incredible.
The free Gong Shuttle runs every 10 to 20 minutes. The service operates in both directions on a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University via Wollongong Hospital, Burelli Street and the Innovation Campus.
As of January 29 next year standard Opal fares will apply on the shuttle.
This will mean passengers will be forced to pay anywhere between $2.15 and $4.61 for an adult fare.
Illawarra Mercury
