Public transport plan unfinished, Baillieu government first year nearly over
Pressure on government is increasing as the challenges of rising public transport have not been met by a public transport plan after nearly twelve months.
- One of Melbourne’s busy trains
Metlink patronage rising fast
There is rising tension between the Victorian government and key groups after delays to public transport planning.
The failure of the network to fulfill the needs of a growing city has been identified by the Municipal Association of Victoria.
The previous and current state governments expansion of the rail networks has “fallen well short” of matching urban growth, Municipal Association of Victoria President, Bill McArthur, has said.
An improved public transport system is also on the wishlist of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
They suggest the lack of alternate cross city transport is a risk to the city that has been overlooked for too long.
“Public transport is something that has been neglected over the past eighty years,” Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman, Chris James, has said.
The State government agrees with sentiments of many of the groups and the need for change.
They point to the desire to improve the liveability of the city and outer suburbs and expand trade and tourism potential.
Some tension have eased after the Victorian government began preliminary consultations to guide the metropolitan planning strategy which includes public transport.
