ETC hopes for good public
transport news in the budget
The Eastern Transport
Coalition is looking forward to some good public transport news when the State
Budget is delivered on Tuesday, ETC spokesperson Cr Samantha Dunn said today.
“Over the past
year the State Government has taken steps towards addressing public transport
needs in the east, with the first stage of feasibility studies completed for
both Rowville Rail and Doncaster Rail,’’ Cr Dunn said.
"Both studies have been positive and the
government should now maintain the momentum and provide funding to continue
planning for these two important projects,” she said.
“We also hope
to see a significant increase in funding for bus services which, for many
residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, is the only public transport within a
reasonable distance of their homes.”
A lack of coordination between services,
inadequate frequency, insufficient coverage and already congested roads, means
that the existing bus network is uncompetitive with car travel.
The 2010 Metropolitan Bus Service Review
was intended to identify and address these issues, however to date only around
8 per cent of the review’s recommendations have been implemented.
Cr Dunn also urged the government to maintain a focus
on grade separations and welcomed the funding that has already been provided to
remove level crossings in Mitcham, Springvale, Blackburn and Bayswater.
“The government has recognised the frustration that
level crossings pose for road users and the limitations it creates in the
entire public transport network and we look forward to the removal of other
level crossing trouble spots in the future,” she said.
“Good
public transport underpins a sustainable community. Efficient, accessible and affordable
public transport provides a wide range of social, environmental and economic
benefits.
“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.”
Labels: bus transport, cr samantha dunn, doncaster rail, eastern transport coalition, etc, grade separations, public transport, rowville rail
