Melbourne's transport system is in crisis

Growing traffic levels are putting our quality of life at risk from increasing congestion, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Rising petrol prices are hurting our hip pockets, while people without cars are cut off from jobs and social events. Even the Premier Steve Bracks has admitted public transport is getting worse, despite a huge increase in subsidies since privatisation. We deserve better. It's time for Transport Minister Peter Batchelor and the Government to get on track!

More roads aren't the answer

Melbourne has the highest amount of road length per person of any Australian city. Research shows that building more roads only increases congestion problems, by encouraging more people to drive. Melbourne recently lost its title as the world's most liveable city to Vancouver, a city that stopped building freeways 40 years ago. Unnecessary road projects, such as the proposed $700 million tunnel connecting the Eastern and Tullamarine freeways, also divert much needed funding away from public transport. Roads have been prioritised over public transport for too long.

If the Government is to achieve its target of 20% of all motorised journeys by public transport by the year 2020, then there needs to be a 20% reduction in the number of car journeys. This means that any further road capacity expansions are out of the question.

Preparing for a low energy future

A recent Griffith University study Oil Vulnerability in the Australian City found that a higher proportion of Melbourne households are vulnerable to rising petrol prices than in Sydney or Brisbane because of our city's poor public transport options. Melbournians urgently need alternatives to the car or our city will grind to a halt.

The Government needs to backtrack

In 2005 the Bracks Government said there would be no new extensions to Melbourne's rail network for another 15 years. This is a mistake. A strong train system is essential to offer Melbournians a fast efficient alternative to driving. For example, a rail extension to Rowville would:

• Replace at least 2,400 cars on Rowville roads every hour, the equivalent of one freeway lane of traffic.
• Get you from Rowville to the city within 30 minutes, as opposed to 50 minutes by car or 55 by 'Smart' bus.
• Serve 100,000 people in Melbourne's east.

What needs to happen?

On 8th February the Coalition for People's Transport, of which EV is a member, launched its campaign calling for Batchelor to 'get on track'. The Coalition is asking the State Government to:

• Bring public transport back under public control. A lean, accountable public agency should manage our public transport and make all strategic, policy and timetable decisions. Private operators should merely deliver the service.
• Establish a single budget for all transport modes – including roads and public transport - with funds to be invested as needed for the greatest social, economic and environmental benefits. This means diverting funding away from new freeways and road capacity expansions and into public transport.
• Redesign Melbourne’s public transport system into a functioning integrated network, offering regular services across the entire metropolitan area.
• Provide a 10 minute minimum service frequency on all tram and train lines.
• Provide frequent bus services until midnight, seven days per week.
• Make major investments in public transport infrastructure including rail extensions to Rowville, Doncaster and South Morang and new public transport interchanges in growth suburbs and at major activity centres.

Get Active!: Let the Government know that you’re not happy with its performance on transport

• Email Peter Batchelor or write to him at PO Box 219, Thomastown 3074.
• Write to your local MP – let them know you feel strongly about the need for improved public transport services. You can find your MP's address here.
• Tell your friends, write letters to the newspapers – make some noise!
• Join the Transport Revolution! Environment Victoria's new monthly transport e-bulletins will keep you up-to-date with its sustainable transport campaign, important transport news and actions you can take to make a difference.