There is a saying, "Nothing in the world is free."

So even the Free Shuttle Bus in Parramatta is not free. It is paid for by the people – $1.5m from development applications related levies, and over $500,000 annually from parking meter revenue.

From such expenditure, did we really achieve value for money? Or was it a failure on the pretence that it was a Labor election promise delivered just before the local government election?

Let me be clear that I am in favour of a free shuttle bus service only if it is implemented with clear and demonstrable objectives that benefit the eco-system of private and public transport and patrons. Coming from Singapore where its public transport system is regularly examined and learned by cities across the world, it is from this that I examine Parramatta’s.

“The Loop”, Parramatta’s Free Shuttle Bus, was originally inspired by Perth’s very successful Free Shuttle Bus called Central Area Transport Service (CATS). However, Parramatta’s implementation failed to capitalise on Perth’s experience and wisdom.

In January 2009, I received an invaluable briefing from Perth’s Lord Mayor Clr Lisa Scaffidi and TransPerth. From those briefings, it is clear that there are distinct differences between Perth and Parramatta in terms of any demonstrable reduction in car usage, environmental considerations, and value-for-money, including the cooperation from the Western Australian State Government and also the Federal Government.

With “The Loop” buses emblazoned with the slogan, “Leave the car, take The Loop”, the recent review discovered that it did not measure or was unable to measure how many cars have been unused as a result of Parramatta’s Free Shuttle Bus.

And although there has been a significant number in patronage, near 500,000 in its first 8 months, it is also unclear if such patronage comprehensively displaces car usage in favour of public transport, or if it simply attracts demand from people who have already arrived to Parramatta CBD by trains and buses.

Finally, as there is no provable decrease in car usage, one can only assume that no environmental improvement has been made.

Given that local government is not responsible for public transport, and without any support from the NSW State Government or the Federal Government, the financial consideration of now almost $2m of public expenditure in its first year should be scrutinised.

Alternatively, can “The Loop” be reconfigured to a worthwhile implementation of public transport that it originally had aspired to be? With assistance from state and federal governments, reforming the overall strategy, changing the funding model, and implementing a commuter car parking system, Parramatta could become a successful implementation in terms of traffic improvements, the environment and fiscal responsibility.

Click here for photos of visit to Perth's Lord Mayor Clr Lisa Scaffidi, TransPerth, and their CATS