budget fails the public transport users of the east

Yesterday’s release of the state government budget was another missed opportunity to address transport woes in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The government says buses are the answer for the East, so where are they? Not in yesterday's budget announcement.

The Eastern Transport Coalition were optimistic that yesterday’s budget would provide some kind of assistance to those in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs who do not have access to adequate public transport.

However, on reviewing the budget documents, it appears Government has continued to ignore the needs of over a million eastern suburbs residents.

Although the budget does contain funding for some necessary transport initiatives, Melbourne’s east has missed out again.

The ETC is disappointed but not surprised. It is time this government looked seriously at providing sustainable transport options right across Melbourne rather than focussing on a few key electorates.

This election year provides a perfect opportunity for this government to show that it is listening to the million or so residents east of Warrigal road who are forced to drive their cars to work because they have no viable alternative.

The ETC will continue to work with the Transport Minister to address the shortfall of sustainable transport options for residents of Melbourne’s east.