Greetings,
I would like to raise an issue which socially and environmentally is highly significant in Melbourne.
Currently, Melbourne's public transport, especially its trains, is very overburdened, underfunded and is making commuters suffer from delays and lack of rail extensions in outer suburbs. The issues are complex, so I'll put it in dot point form. The current problems are:
-When Jeff Kennett privatised the system, the overall cost of running the system (via subsidies to Connex and Yarra Trams) became 500 million. Before it was 280. Privatisation is a complete failure and Melbourne is the only example to prove this. Our state government must reject renewing the contract with Connex, Yarra Trams and the many private bus companies.
- More freeways are being built - rather than rail lines or light rail. This is quite common in Melbourne and Sydney. Rather than logically invest in sustainable transport solutions that reduce congestion, frustration and pollution, we are continually building freeways. This frustrates many environmentalists (like me) and goes against successful urban planning examples in Canada and Europe. Freeways only add congestion as there are more cars using the roads at any one time. In the long term, freeways increase the problems with more car dependance.
- The recent Transport and Liveability Statement released by Bracks has failed to fund public transport enough. Whilst expanding the bike network and increasing capacity and reliability is fundamental, instead of new rail lines (see below) they widen the Monash and Western Ring roads! That's insane.
- There are several imperative projects including:
- Glen Waverley line extension to Rowville
- Epping line extension to Whittlesea (they promised to do it to South Morang- in 10 years time when the new outer fringe will be Whittlesea, rather than South Morang) with track duplication
- New rail line to Doncaster and beyond to Warrandyte and Templestowe
- Reserve land for a new rail line to the rapidly growing suburb of Tarneit.
As I have probably bored you, check out the other facts at
www.ptua.org.au
and
www.melbourneontrack.org.au
Please, I would love everyone to join the biggest campaign in Melbourne. Go to:
www.envict.org.au/getactive.php?c=1
NOTE: IF you do not wish to give your postal address, go to
www.premier.vic.gov.au/your_say.asp
and copy and paste the pre-written petition.
Thank you for your attention!
