Archive for July 8th, 2008

Maroondah Journal: Boost trains, users urge

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 8th of July, 2008

Amid the recently held Eastern Transport Coalition Public Transport Summit, the Maroondah Journal has continued to explore public transport issues, particularly, in regard to the need for service improvements along Melbourne’s rail network.

Eastern Transport Coalition spokesman Cr Alex Makin said evening services would be an easy fix. “There’s nothing stopping the Government from saying tomorrow it will provide additional inter peak services. It would be instant relief for families struggling with increasing fuel prices.”

Inter peak services (services that are between the morning and evening peaks) beyond Ringwood currently operate at a half hourly frequency, severely limiting the opportunity to use public transport outside of peak hours to travel to and from the Ringwood Transit City.

Likewise evening services after 8pm operate at a half-hourly frequency limiting choices available for people that work late.

He said more frequent evening and inter peak services were critical for people to get to and from activity centres, such as the Ringwood Transit City.

The fact that weekend services operate at a 20 minute interval demonstrates that more frequent inter peak weekdays services are possible. For example, it is absurd that people wishing to travel between Croydon and Ringwood at 10am on a weekday are required to wait up to half an hour for train, when on a Saturday or Sunday they would be waiting for 20 minutes.

The government has stated that it will be revising the train timetable next year, hopefully they rectify these anomalies within our train timetables and help reinforce the importance of public transport within the Ringwood Transit City and the outer east.

Maroondah Journal: Switched on

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 8th of July, 2008

The Maroondah Journal has reported on council’s lightbulb replacement initiative, where Home and Community Care (HACC) residents who are eighty years old and older, will be able to take part of a free program to replace incandescent lightbulbs with energy efficient fluorescent bulbs.

Cr Alex Makin said the initiative would enable residents to take action on climate change. “Not only will this make a difference by reducing the amount of greenhouse emissions, but it will have the added benefit of reducing the resident’s electricity bill. Eligible residents will be able to save money and also save the environment.”

My thanks to Enjoying Planned Retirement and to EPR member Iris Salmon, for assisting in publicising this worthwhile initiative.

To register your interest please contact council on 9298 4389.

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce 2008 AGM

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 8th of July, 2008

The Ringwood Chamber of Commerce provides a voice for the Ringwood business community to ensure that the needs of the business community are reflected within the City of Maroondah. The need for a strong business voice is necessary to ensure that pressure remains on the State Government to secure a commitment on the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

The future success of Ringwood will be dependant on the creation of an accessible centre underpinned with access through sustainable transport and it is imperative that the redevelopment of the Station complements the creation of the new Ringwood Town Centre to restore a sense of community and reinforce the transformation of Ringwood.

Tonight’s AGM marked the re-election of the Chamber executive with a focus on the future of Ringwood and ensuring it realises its full potential.