five big public transport questions for the east

Five big public transport questions for the east

Thursday, 11 September 2014

Voters in Melbourne’s east have rated improved public transport as a key election issue and candidates need to clearly detail how they will address the big questions, the Eastern Transport Coalition said today.

According to the Victorian Auditor General's report, Coordinating Public Transport, public transport services in Melbourne are poorly coordinated and many deficiencies in the network remain despite being identified by successive governments over the years.

ETC chairperson, Cr Peter Lockwood said public transport funding has been inadequate to meet current commuter demand in parts of the eastern suburbs, and at current levels, will not keep up with the needs of a growing city.

The ETC has been running campaigns, Commuters Count and Better Buses, to support increased funding and better services.

After talking to and listening to the views of voters in the east for the last year we know that the five most important questions are:

1. Do you or your party support the construction of a rail line to Rowville and will you support a budget allocation in the next four years to advance planning for a rail line to Rowville?

2. Do you or your party support the construction of a rail line to Doncaster and will you support a budget allocation in the next four years to advance planning for a rail line to Doncaster?

3. How will your party's plans for increased inner city rail capacity allow Rowville

and Doncaster Rail to be built and when?

4. Do you, or your political party support increased funding for buses to allow more kilometres and a greater span of hours than currently exist?

5. Will you, or your political party support the renewal and improvement in public transport interchanges such as Box Hill and Huntingdale in the next four years?

“The Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll, which the ETC conducted in February found that 64 per cent of residents rated improving and expanding public transport as a top or very high priority,” Cr Lockwood said.

“We have also been hearing about the needs of commuters through our Better Buses Survey and Commuters Count video challenge and are keen to hear more before the competition closes on September 24.”

Cr Lockwood said the parties needed to answer these five critical questions regarding the future planning for public transport in the east to give voters a clear idea of what they stand for prior to the November State Election.

better buses - what would you like to see?

For the majority of residents in the eastern suburbs buses are the only form of public transport.
With limited access to fixed rail services, buses provide a critical connection for people and allow access to the places they want to go for work, school or entertainment.

Unfortunately the bus network has not received the funding needed to allow the increased services needed by people in the east.

Even the Auditor General has noted that the network suffers from a lack of co-ordination, poor span of hours, poor reliability and insufficient days of operation.

With a State election set for November this year, the ETC is concerned that neither the Napthine Government or the Opposition have a plan to improve bus services.

That’s why we are campaigning for Better Buses and we need your help.

Fill in this short Better Buses survey and tell us about the improvements you would like to see.

video challenge - tell us why commuters count

Commuters and other users of our trams, trains and buses have a pretty good idea of what is needed to improve the system. The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) wants to make sure your voices and ideas are heard so we are running a video challenge.

The ETC are inviting people to post a video, up to 2 minutes, on the Commuters Count facebook page in order to go into the running to win a year’s worth of public transport.

The ETC wants to know, with some creativity, about your public transport experiences and how they could be improved. Maybe you want a new train line or your day may be made better if the bus met the train. Whatever it is, we want to know.

Need some inspiration, check out this entry from Yarra Ranges Council (no we're not allowed to win - but great effort team YR!)

The competition is open until 24 September and you can vote for your favourite video anytime until the end of September.

To see example entries and all the details visit our facebook page.

For terms and conditions, visit the ETC website.

auditor general finds public transport coordination lacking

PRESS RELEASE

Auditor General finds public transport coordination lacking

Monday, 18 August 2014

The Eastern Transport Coalition last week applauded the Victorian Auditor-General’s report which called for better coordination of Melbourne’s public transport network.

In the report, Coordinating Public Transport, Auditor-General John Doyle said public transport services are poorly coordinated, and progress to improve this has been slow.

He also noted the deficiencies in the network have been identified in previous public transport audits over the past few years, but that action has been slow.

ETC Chairperson, Cr Peter Lockwood said the report highlighted what everyone who used public transport already knew - particularly his observations that “many bus services remain indirect and infrequent, with long wait times for connecting train services.”

“It’s such a shame because the system could be so much better. This is what commuters have been telling us and I expect we will hear more through our Better Buses survey which is currently underway,” Cr Lockwood said.

“The Auditor General has urged Public Transport Victoria to accelerate efforts to finalise plans for metropolitan trams and buses and regional transport services, and to develop measures that will assist co-ordination of services across different public transport modes.

“The ETC would urge the same. PTV has a Network Development Plan for trains but there is none for buses and there won't be until at least the end of the year.

“For the majority of residents in the eastern suburbs, buses are the most critical part of the public transport network where little or no other public transport options exist.”

Cr Lockwood said both the government and opposition needed to show their plans for improving bus services and a comprehensive plan that co-ordinated the entire network.

“Fixing Melbourne’s public transport problems will take money, effort, better performance monitoring and in some cases, brave action. It needs to start with a coordinated plan for improving all public transport across the state,” Cr Lockwood said.

To take part in the Commuters Count Better Buses survey, go to the ETC website.

etc wants to know if you want better buses

PRESS RELEASE

If you want Better Buses tell us how
Monday, 11 August 2014

Bus commuters in the east are invited to take part in a new bus survey to let all political parties know about the deficiencies in the network prior to the State Election.

 

ETC Chairperson, Cr Peter Lockwood said buses were the most critical part of the public transport network for the majority of residents in the eastern suburbs.

 

“In parts of the eastern suburbs where little or no other public transport options exist, buses connect people with the places they want to go for work, school or entertainment,” Cr Lockwood said.

Despite proposed new rail lines in the east being included in Plan Melbourne they remain unfunded and therefore uncommitted.

To make matters worse there has been no increase in local bus services to cater for the growing need for public transport fuelled by strong population growth.
 

“That’s why the ETC is campaigning for Better Buses and we are asking residents to tell us about their commuting experience and the improvements they would like to see,” Cr Lockwood said.

“Even the Auditor General has noted that the network suffers from a lack of coordination, poor span of hours, poor reliability and insufficient days of operation.

 

“It is a major concern to the ETC that neither the Napthine Government or the Opposition have a plan to improve bus services.”

 

The ETC is made up of seven eastern suburban councils, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Monash, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges Councils and advocates for improved public transport in our region.

The Better Buses survey can be found on the ETC website: www.etc.org.au

• The scheduled service distance for buses in 2010-11 was 110.7m kilometres and the target for this financial year is 110.8m kilometres.
• The most recent budget provided an extra $11.8m for new train and bus services this year and an average of $27m per year for the next four. Unfortunately for eastern suburbs residents, that’s just for new buses in Wyndham.

racv, monash uni join etc transport summit

The Eastern Transport Coalition, RACV and Monash University will each be stating their case for the critical need for improved public transport in Melbourne’s east during the Commuters Count Transport Summit held on Wednesday, April 9.

It’s about time there was a concerted effort to see an integrated public transport network for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs if we want to see continued economic growth and social connection for local communities who continue to be overly car reliant.

For too long we’ve been waiting for projects like Rowville Rail, critical to supporting Monash University as well as reducing road congestion.

Paul Barton from Monash University will be speaking about their concerns at the summit, as will Brian Negus, RACV’s General Manager for Public Policy.

The Commuters Count Transport Summit is a unique event bringing together representatives from each of the major parties alongside other key stakeholders in the transport arena, and is a great opportunity to examine policies and promises prior to the state election.

If you’d like to hear the discussion you’re most welcome. The summit will be held:

When:Wednesday, April 9 from 9am

Where: City of Greater Dandenong community facility at Springvale Reserve, Newcomen Road, Springvale
Cost: absolutely free of charge

Don’t forget to like Commuters Count on facebook and use hashtag #commuterscount on Twitter.

Speakers at the Commuters Count 2014 Transport Summit include:

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Gary Blackwood,
Shadow Minister for Planning, Major Projects and Infrastructure, Brian Tee
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Greg Barber
RACV’s General Manager for Public Policy, Brian Negus
Paul Barton from Monash University
Executive Director of Bus Association of Victoria, Chris Lowe will be one of the panel members

You can find the Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll results on the ETC website here, www.etc.org.au.

 

 

build it now, we've waited long enough

Public transport priorities will be a major factor influencing votes at the upcoming State Election according to new research results released by the Eastern Transport Coalition as part of its Commuters Count election campaign.

Conducted by Essential Research, the Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll of more than 1000 residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, found that 64 per cent of residents rated improving and expanding public transport as a top or very high priority, and the majority of respondents surveyed said they were more likely to vote for a party that committed to building key rail projects.

Significantly, the research also found that three out of four people believe that the delivery of rail projects needs to be accelerated and delivered sooner than the 2025-50 schedule the State Government has currently set for Melbourne Metro, Doncaster Rail and Rowville Rail.

We've been waiting long enough for public transport projects in the east, residents aren't prepared to wait another couple of generations.

The survey revealed that people believe the current timing for major rail infrastructure projects is unacceptable, with 75 per cent saying Melbourne Metro, Doncaster and Rowville Rail should be built sooner.

How many more studies can we be subjected to, time to get on with the building, not the stalling.

Residents in Melbourne’s east have had enough of public transport plans and studies that don’t produce results because they are unfunded or pushed so far into the future that they are continually relegated to the bottom of the list.

Don't forget you can tell the ETC what you think on the Commuters Count facebook page or tweet us using #commuterscount.

 

Some selected highlights of the poll include:

• 64% think improving and expanding public transport is the top priority or very important ranking with education and above water, new roads and the environment
• Three-quarters of respondents believed that the rail projects should be built sooner - only 10% thought the timing was acceptable and a further 7% thought they did not need to be built at all.
• 69% agree that if all the projects are not built there will be serious impacts on traffic and quality of life in Melbourne while only 17% think that the transport system will cope until the Government can afford to build them.
• 55% believe it is similarly important for the State Government to invest in major road and rail projects. 
• 28% think the rail projects are more important and 14% think the East-West link is more important.
• There was strong support for Government investment in infrastructure. Only 18% think that it is more important for the Government to reduce their spending to return the budget to surplus.

commuters count summit, public welcome

Public transport in the outer suburbs will be the topic of discussion at the Commuters Count Summit in April.

Yarra Ranges residents are invited to join in the day, organised by the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC).

The ETC represents close to 1.1 million people across seven council areas, including the Yarra Ranges.

Former chairperson Yarra Ranges Councillor Samantha Dunn said the summit was part of the group’s ongoing advocacy efforts for improved public transport in Melbourne’s outer east.

“We know that public transport will be a major issue in this year’s state election and we are keen to see the interests of the outer fringe of Melbourne represented,” she said.

“We believe there needs to be a much greater commitment to public transport infrastructure.”

Local government, business, MPs and education providers will present at the summit to discuss how current and future state budgets could be used to satisfy the transport needs of the region.

The ETC recently submitted to the state budget planning process aiming to increase the investment in rail and public transport infrastructure.

The April Summit will further discuss how this could be achieved.

More information on the ETC is available online.

Residents can join the summit:

When? Wednesday 9 April 9am – 1pm
Where? At the Community Building, Springvale Reserve, Newcomen Road, Springvale.

samantha in the media

Eastern Transport Coalition wants State Government to include projects in State Budget
Leader Newspapers
by Laura Jolly
27 Dec 2013

David and Goliath take Melbourne (at 1:20 mins mark)
 Channel 31
by Georgia Georgadas
2 Jan 2014

Bushfire retreats listed
Mail Newspapers
by Kath Gannaway

Commuters urged to add voices
Mail Newspapers
by Rebecca Bills

 

Roots of play

Mail Newspapers

by Rebecca Bills

21 Jan 2014

 





public transport commitment needed in budget

Public transport commitment needed in Budget

 
The priority and funding allocated to public transport projects in the next state Budget will be the true indicator of the State Government’s commitment in this area, Eastern Transport Coalition chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said today.

Cr Dunn said there was a backlog of public transport projects across the eastern region, identified through studies, plans and audits over decades.

She said the ETC supported the Victorian Government’s plan for expanding and improving the rail network but wanted it delivered quicker.

“The million residents of the eastern suburbs can’t wait until 2028 for the generational improvements needed for rail. By that time it will be a generation since they were promised and that’s too long,” Cr Dunn said.

“The current debate about road versus rail ignores the real need of commuters and businesses alike – we need better transport infrastructure, not choices between modes.

“Residents in Melbourne’s east have had enough of public transport plans and studies that don’t produce results because they are unfunded or pushed so far into the future that they are continually relegated the bottom of the list by other plans and projects.”

As the next State Budget is prepared, the ETC has asked the government to include in its short term priorities: funding the Melbourne Metro project, funding for stage two of the Doncaster Rail Feasibility Study, an upgrade of bus services, an increased program of grade separations, a move towards high capacity signalling along the rail network and improved cycling opportunities.

The key medium-term public transport priority for the region is improved rail services, specifically building the Doncaster and Rowville Rail lines.

Cr Dunn said the government had identified the Monash and Dandenong South National Employment Clusters as critical drivers of economic growth in the eastern region.

However this potential will only be realised with the delivery of key transport projects, namely the Melbourne Metro and subsequent Rowville and Dandenong rail projects.

"Political parties on both sides have agreed that Melbourne Metro is critical to the delivery of future development around Melbourne. Now is the time to put those words into action and provide funding to start this project in the short term,’’ Cr Dunn said.

  Cr Dunn said the ETC acknowledged that the rail projects would take time to complete and for that reason, bus services in the region must be improved and expanded in the short term.

“Melbourne’s bus services have been the subject of numerous review and recommendations, including a Metropolitan Bus Service Review, completed in 2010. Unfortunately, less than 10 per cent of the recommendations from that review have been funded and realised,” she said.

“Funding needs to be provided to ensure that there are enough buses to meet demand and that travel times are improved to make it a viable option to car travel.”

Cr Dunn encouraged commuters to share their views and hopes for the coming State Budget via the ETC’s Commuters Count Facebook page or the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter.

“As the State election draws closer, the ETC will be campaigning for better outcomes across all modes of public transport and for all commuters in the outer east,’’ Cr Dunn said.

“Now is the time for residents in Melbourne’s east to speak up and tell the government that they deserve more than they have been given in the past 40 years.”

alp transport plan doesn’t go far enough

 

                                            Tuesday, 19 November 2013

The Eastern Transport Coalition has welcomed the State ALP’s pledge to significantly invest in public transport as outlined in its Project 10,000 document, but disappointed that the plan gives no actual commitment to build Doncaster or Rowville Rail.

ETC chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said Melbourne commuters were now faced with two imperfect and incomplete transport plans, despite years of studies and plans, including State 1 of the Rowville Rail Study and Doncaster Rail study completed only this year.

“While the Napthine Government has a clear policy with commitments and timeframes around Metro, Rowville and Doncaster, they don’t intend to deliver these projects until sometime in 2025-2050,’’ Cr Dunn said.

“The ALP says it will speed up the delivery of Melbourne Metro because it will allow for more network expansions, but will only commit ‘in principle’ to Rowville and Doncaster, stating that they will review the priority of these projects.

“Doncaster and Rowville risk being the most well considered and unbuilt rail lines in the city’s history.”

Cr Dunn said the ETC applauded the commitment to urgently remove more level crossings in the outer east and was pleased that this action now had largely bi-partisan support.

“What is concerning is the silence on bus services, which have similarly been the subject of numerous review and recommendations and still not enough action over the decades,’’ she said.

“For many residents in Melbourne east buses are the only public transport available within a reasonable distance of their homes, yet they are forced to deal with overcrowded buses and excessively long journey times, with no commitment for improvement in sight.”

“Both sides of politics need to do better and the ETC will be campaigning for better outcomes across all modes of public transport and for all commuters in the outer east over the next year.”

Cr Dunn encouraged commuters to share their thoughts about the plan via the ETC’s Commuters Count Facebook page or the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter.

“If residents in Melbourne’s east want to receive more than they have in the past 40 years, now is the time to make your opinions known.’’

 

it's in the plan, but is it in the budget?

The Eastern Transport Coalition has welcomed the public transport focus in the State Government’s Plan Melbourne document released today, but warned it would become another empty transport plan unless it was backed by substantial investment.

Cr Dunn said the Plan Melbourne strategy acknowledged the importance of the Melbourne Metro to an improved public transport system and integrated planning for Melbourne.

“The plan talks about harmonising public transport services across trains, trams and buses to provide better connectivity, removing level crossings and improving suburban rail and bus networks in growth areas and outer suburbs, goals that the ETC shares,” Cr Dunn said.

“Of course, previous government plans, some of them dating back decades have talked about the same thing.

“The former Metropolitan Town Planning Commission’s 1929 Plan of General Development and the 1969 Melbourne Transportation Study highlighted the need for rail lines for the then growth areas of Doncaster and Rowville.

“Subsequent studies, reports and plans have also supported these projects but without funding, they remain nothing more than decade’s old plans.

“Melbourne should not have to wait any longer for rail expansion. This new plan once again makes it clear that expanding and improving public transport around Melbourne is necessary and we urge the Government to take the next step – fund it and build it.”

Cr Dunn said the idea of a 20-minute neighbourhood contained in the plan was also an admirable goal, but would only work if supported by improved public transport, particularly improved and expanded bus services.

Cr Dunn encouraged commuters to share their thoughts about the plan via the ETC’s Commuters Count Facebook page or the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter.

“The ETC’s Commuters Count campaign, launched in August this year, has been aimed at getting Melburnians talking about public transport and sharing their stories and frustrations and hopes for better public transport in the future,’’ she said.

“This new Plan Melbourne strategy will set the direction the Government will take over the next 40 years. If residents in Melbourne’s east want to receive more than they have in the past 40 years, now is the time to make your opinions known.’’

 

samantha in the press

Belgrave and Lilydale train line passengers most likely to have parking trouble, RACV survey says
Lilydale Leader
by Laura Jolly
27 Sep 2013

Burger off!
The Age Good Weekend

by Stuart Rintoul

28 Sep 2013

samantha in the press

Clayton level crossing among city's most dangerous
Waverley Leader
by Tim Michell
3 Sep 2013

Yarra Ranges Council urges the State Government to change restrictions on bushfire risk / State urged to change rules
Lilydale Leader
by Emily Webb
3 Sep 2013

Work restarts on sewers
Free Press Leader
4 Sep 2013

 

Up in smoke

Mountain Views Mail

by Melissa Meehan

3 Sep 2013

 

samantha in the press

Greater Dandenong commuters asked to share public transport stories on social media
Dandenong Leader
by Tim Michell and Julian Kennedy
26 Aug 2013          

Rowville Rail to be considered as part of state Labor's transport policy
Waverley Leader
by Tim Michell
24 Aug 2013

Sewerage plan set to resume
Mail Newspapers
27 Aug 2013

samantha in the press

Councils get together to fight for more public transport in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
ABC News
20 Aug 2013

Eastern Transport Coalition wants commuters to share woes on social media
Leader News
by Emily Webb
14 Aug 2013

Make a point of it
Leader News
by Emily Webb
13 Aug 2013

Open doors for fitness
Mail Newspapers
13 Aug 2013

 
 



mayors on board with commuters count

Pictured left to right: Cr Samantha Dunn - ETC Chairperson,
Mayor Karin Orpin - Knox, Mayor Andrew Munroe - Whitehorse,
Mayor Micaela Drieberg - Monash, Mayor Angela Long - Dandenong,
Mayor Jim Child - Yarra Ranges and Mayor Jennifer Yang - Manningham.

Six Mayors from eastern Melbourne are leading the charge for increased Federal public transport spending, signing a joint letter to the Labor, Liberal and Greens leaders at Huntingdale Railway Station this morning.

Cr Angela Long (Greater Dandenong), Cr Karin Orpen (Knox), Cr Jennifer Yang (Manningham), Cr Micaela Drieberg (Monash), Cr Andrew Munroe (Whitehorse) and Cr Jim Child (Yarra Ranges) united to urge the Federal leaders to support funding for urban rail projects.

The mayors called on all parties to support funding for the Melbourne Metro project, which is critical if the much needed extensions of rail to Doncaster, Rowville and capacity improvements to Dandenong, Glen Waverley and Belgrave/Lilydale are ever to come to fruition.

In the letter to Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott and Christine Milne, the mayors said "Commuters Count this Federal Election as they are the lifeblood of our economy and communities. Gridlock and congestion wastes time and money and can be solved through action on major transport infrastructure.

"That is why we urge you to support improved public transport and a stronger economic future for the eastern suburbs by committing the Commonwealth to funding transport infrastructure on merit.’’

In addition to their own message, the mayors also urged commuters to share their views and improvements that they would like to see by sending photos and comments to the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter and liking the Eastern Transport Coalition’s Commuters Count Facebook page.

 

eastern councils lobby for federal transport spending

Seven eastern Melbourne Councils have voted to put the pressure on Federal candidate to support public transport spending in the lead up to the September 7 election.

Greater Dandenong, Knox, Manningham, Monash, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges Councils have all either endorsed motions at their meetings or have publicly proclaimed the need for the Federal Government to commit to spending on major metropolitan public transport projects, including urban rail.

The councils, all members of the Eastern Transport Coalition, are asking for an ongoing commitment of funding at a federal level and raising their concerns about Liberal leader Tony Abbot’s statement in April that the commonwealth government had "no history of funding urban rail”.

ETC chairperson, Cr Samantha Dunn said inadequate public transport was a critical issue for residents in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs who have waited decades for projects like rail to Rowville and Doncaster.

“The time has come for the community to vote and candidates in this federal election need to make their position on public transport funding clear,” Cr Dunn said.

 “The ETC supported the Victorian Government’s plan for expanding and improving the rail network but we want it delivered quicker than the 15 years stated in the PTV Network Development plan.

“Residents in the eastern suburbs can’t wait until 2028 for the missing links in Melbourne’s public transport infrastructure to be delivered.”

Cr Dunn said while councils would be making their views known to local candidate, residents could also make their voices heard by using the hash tag #commuterscount on Twitter and liking the ETC’s Commuters County Facebook page.

“We want to see photos and comments so the candidates can see the problems first hand,” Cr Dunn said.