etc supports auditor general's report - more spending on public transport

The Auditor General's report tabled in parliament is further evidence that more money must be invested in Melbourne's public transport network to meet present and future needs.

In his report to parliament, Auditor General, Des Pearson, estimated that public transport patronage would jump by around 70% in the next decade. He also estimated that capital expenditure on public transport would need to triple over the next decade to cope with this expected growth.

Communities in Melbourne's east have been crying out for better public transport for decades, particularly rail services, to provide affordable alternatives and to ease road congestion.

The economic and environmental benefits of an extended rail network in the east are enormous. Feasibility studies are currently being carried out for the Rowville and Doncaster railway links, however it is crucial that government follows through on these projects.

The cost of failing to deliver an integrated public transport system will be felt by the entire community through overcrowding on existing public transport, worse congestion on our roads and lost productivity.

Traffic congestion around rail crossings has a real impact on the road system and also impacts on the ability for train services to run more frequently.

We need to work toward an integrated transport plan that provides better links between rail, trams and buses and reduces our dependance on cars as transport in the east.