THE Mount Isa Pensioners Association approached state member for Mount Isa Mr Katter a month ago about their concerns that the club car and sleeper car were no longer available on the Inlander.
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He suggested they launch a petition, with Mount Isa Pensioners Association President Anne Morris spearheading the collection of more than 1000 signatures from the paper petition.
“All our members have signed and we’ve taken it around to different places like shopping centres and clubs,” Mrs Morris said.
“Everyone we’ve spoken to is in favour of the buffet car and sleeper coming back.”
She said it was too much to expect old and ill people to sit upright for the 20-hour journey.
“There’s not enough leg room between the seats and it would be far more comfortable for them if they could like down and rest for the journey,” she said.
Mr Katter said an online petition was launched on Thursday in the hope of getting more signatures.
“It’s just deplorable that services people on the coast just take for granted have been taken away from Inlander travellers.
“On a 20-hour journey, all people have to eat is sandwiches delivered to their seat, with no ability to buy cold drinks or a cup of tea.
“I don’t care what the subsidy is; this is a service that should be reinstated for the comfort and convenience of those people who have worked to build North Western Queensland, and who are entitled to be able to travel to the coast in comfort.”
