Tag: Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC)

Eastern Transport Coalition Presentation on Train and Tram Refranchising

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As the Deputy Chair of the Eastern Transport Coalition I was invited to present the ETC’s views on the re-franchising arrangements for the rail and tram network. The presentation provided an opportunity to highlight the needs of Melbourne’s outer suburban residents and opportunities that can be pursued through the new franchise arrangements for more a frequent, reliable and accessible public transport system.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) as a regional body representing one million residents within its seven outer eastern councils is well positioned to understand the requirements of its communities and to demonstrate the need for efficient public transport operations.

The survey data compiled by the Australian Research Group for the ETC clearly demonstrates that residents of Melbourne’s outer east would be more than willing to use public transport if services are frequent, readily available and easy to understand.

In particular the ETC believes that there is considerable scope to improve off-peak and interpeak services, as a way of shifting travel demand and mitigate worsening overcrowding during peak times. Frequency of service is a key driver to attracting passengers onto public transport at times other than peak periods. Likewise there should also be the opportunity for express services outside the traditional peak periods.

More frequent services will also assist in delivering a more reliable system since it will assist in more evenly distributing demand across the network. Likewise all rail lines should operate at a consistent service frequency and operating span to provide consistency across the network.

While bus services are outside the scope of the train and tram re-franchising proposals there is a need to improve coordination across the entire public transport system, as such the new franchising arrangements must trigger a review of connecting bus services whenever there is a modification of rail and tram timetables. Bus services generally require at least a three month lead-time to implement changes and ample time is provided so that all modes can operate in a coordinated manner.

Accessibility is also a critical factor with the State Government failing to meet targets for disability compliance on the rail network. There would be a considerable opportunity to provide the franchisee with the scope to redevelop nominated stations in exchange for commercial rights. This would provide the operator with an incentive to modernise Melbourne’s rail stations through the creation of mixed use transit hubs and also ensure higher cleanliness and safety standards.

Likewise it is also critical that the new franchise arrangements include scope to extend the rail network, such as the much needed rail extensions to Rowville and Doncaster and the tram extensions that are required to Knox and Doncaster Hill.

Local Government both individually and collectively as a region would welcome the opportunity to engage the new rail and tram operators so that services meet the needs of our community. As an example, we have actively engaged Connex through the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, which has led to the reduction of vandalism along Maroondah’s rail network. Public transport is critical to the mobility of our communities and local government should be actively engaged over initiatives and timetable changes.

The new franchise arrangements for the train and tram network will begin on the 1st of December of this year. It is imperative that the new agreements assist in delivering a service that meets the needs of our community.

Maroondah Leader: Premier push for station

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on the recently held Eastern Transport Coalition Summit and the renewed advocacy campaign for the upgrade of Ringwood Station, amid the arrival of the Premier and Cabinet for a community cabinet at Maroondah’s Karralyka Centre.

Councillor Alex Makin told an Eastern Transport Coalition summit earlier this month that a firm commitment to the station redevelopment was urgent.

The redevelopment of Ringwood Station is critical to ensure the revitalisation of Ringwood into an accessible and sustainable urban centre that is well served through public transport.

Cr Makin said a lack of State Government funding for the project threatened the revitalisation of Ringwood.

“The Government claims it is ‘committed’ to Ringwood but its words are meaningless without a financial commitment,” Cr Makin said.

The State Government cannot expect the community to believe its promises when it constantly fails to deliver funds to redevelop the station. While the State Government provided minor funding in previous budgets to undertake feasibility and design works it failed to deliver a single cent to deliver the necessary works to redevelop the station into a safe and accessible transport interchange.

“Ringwood Station is consistently rated as one of the most unsafe locations within Maroondah it fails Commonwealth accessibility standards.”

The Eastern Transport Coalition stands united in its call for the upgrade of Ringwood Station. It is imperative that Maroondah City Council holds the State Government to account so that the station redevelopment is delivered as part of the overall revitalisation of Ringwood.

Public Transport Summit – It's Time to Move On

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You are invited to attend a Public Transport Summit on Friday 4 July at Manningham City Council Offices, Doncaster.

Hosted by the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), the Summit will draw together local residents, leaders and transport advocates to discuss improving public transport in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Keynote speaker will be Professor Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University. Professor Newman is a renowned West Australian academic and planner who is credited with coining the term ‘automobile dependence’ — an expression describing the creation of cities reliant on cars.

The Summit will also hear from Professor Graham Currie, Monash University Chair of Public Transport and Peter Daly, Chief Engineer from the RACV.

In addition I will be speaking about the role of Ringwood and its importance as an accessible regional centre which requires a comprehensive public transport system complete with the redevelopment of Ringwood Station and duplications along the Belgrave and Lilydale rail lines.

For further details and to RSVP please visit the ETC public transport summit web site.

Eastern Transport Coalition – standing united over the Ringwood Transit City

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Tonight’s Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) meeting included discussions with Gary Liddle (CEO) and Robert Freemantle (Executive Director – Network & Asset Planning) from VicRoads. A number of questions were directed towards VicRoads particularly in regard to management of an integrated transport network.

Specifically I asked about the VicRoads plans for Maroondah Highway given that the State Government failed to provide funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. While it was understood that VicRoads agreed to the need of calming Maroondah Highway in the context of the station redevelopment, it was unclear whether this would be undertaken separately.

Perhaps unsurprisingly VicRoads is unwilling to consider calming of Maroondah Highway without a commitment from the State Government in regard to Ringwood Station. This will severely impact on the ability to revitalise Ringwood and businesses along Maroondah Highway and while VicRoads stated that they will consider interim solutions no details were discussed as to what options would be considered.

While the government had a tremendous opportunity to ensure an integrated transport approach through its creation of the Department of Transport, it has failed to incorporate VicRoads within this structure. VicRoads will still remain a statutory authority with direct reporting lines to the Minister for Roads. This added advantage for VicRoads, with its own separate operating budget, leaves public transport as well as other forms of sustainable transport, such as cycling and walking, at a disadvantage.

Likewise there is still a disconnect between transport and planning. The failure to announce funding for Ringwood Station is indicative of this since it jeopardises the future of the Ringwood transit City and the creation of a vibrant town centre.

The Eastern Transport Coalition recognises the regional significance of the Ringwood Transit City and the importance of creating an accessible and safe station. The strength of the Eastern Transport Coalition, through its representation of seven councils and one million residents, will assist in ensuring funding for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

The strength of the Eastern Transport Coalition was recognised when it successfully led a campaign to abolish zone three and this influence will be recognise once again with the group standing united on the need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station.

The Eastern Transport Coalition is preparing a public transport summit for Friday the 4th of July. This summit will include details on the public transport needs in the outer eastern suburbs.

Maroondah Leader: Railing for change

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The Maroondah Leader has reported on the Eastern Transport Coalition’s request for Federal and State cooperation in funding urban public transport infrastructure so as to mitigate worsening traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) has called for changes to funding rules under the national Auslink program to allow spending on urban public transport infrastructure.

Auslink is a federally funded program provides funding largely for roads and freight. While urban roads are included within the Auslink program, it currently excludes urban public transport.

Coalition member and Maroondah Councillor, Alex Makin said the federally funded Auslink program only provided for roads and some rural rail freight.

Auslink is about moving people, but it excludes public transport,” Cr Makin said. “Traffic congestion is growing faster than the population and the best way to ease that is by getting on to public transport”.

Given the national focus on combating inflation and greenhouse emissions, it is imperative that the federal government provides funding for public transport to restore and maintain Australia’s international competitiveness. Much of Melbourne’s outer east lacks essential rail infrastructure, resulting in traffic congestion and rising greenhouse emissions, since residents have no alternative but to drive.

The ETC is seeking federal and state cooperation for the following projects:

  • Heavy rail connections to Doncaster and Rowville;
  • Duplication of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines to ensure reliable and frequent services;
  • Completion and implementation of the bus service reviews currently being undertaken by the State Government; and
  • Improvements to major public transport interchanges, such as Ringwood and Box Hill.

It is essential that the State and Federal Governments cooperate in providing Melbourne with essential public transport infrastructure. Federal funding should be provided in return for efficiency gains from the State Government, to ensure a reliable and frequent public transport system that provides a ready alternative to car usage.

First Eastern Transport Coalition meeting for 2008

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Like other committees, the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) has returned in january to hold its first meeting for 2008. Today’s meeting discussed the Eastern Transport Coalition’s submission to the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) Inquiry into Liveability. This Inquiry was requested by the Victorian Treasurer, John Lenders, amid growing concern over Melbourne’s decline in liveability rankings.

The Eastern Transport Coalition submission will focus heavily on the need for an integrated transport and planning approach, which would curtail the excessive dominance of VicRoads in planning and transport policies. Furthermore the submission will also highlight the need for sustainable transport to assist in the liveability of my communities. For example, public transport improvements would provide an alternative to car dependence meaning that less income would be spent battling rising petrol prices and that less time would be wasted waiting in traffic congestion.

The VCEC Inquiry into traffic congestion clearly stated that the Government must do more to improve public transport. It is imperative that the State Government finally acts on the numerous inquiries it has called and realises that train, tram and bus improvements are urgently required.

Tonight’s meeting also discussed the strategic direction of the Eastern Transport Coalition. This year the ETC will continue to hold the State Government into account, while also pursuing the need for Federal Government investment in public transport infrastructure. Given that Australia is now a signatory to the Kyoto Treaty it is imperative that Federal leadership is provided to curb the rising greenhouse emissions associated with the transport sector. Public transport has the potential to assist in housing affordability by reducing car dependence and in reducing greenhouse emissions.

An action plan is currently being devised and is expected to be adopted at the next meeting.

Media Release: Rudd Government can end blame game in public transport

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The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) and Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), jointly representing 26 Melbourne Councils, have asked the Rudd Federal Government, to contribute to funding major urban public transport infrastructure projects.

Both organisations also called on the Victorian Government to seek changes to Auslink to allow funding of public transport.

Cr Jackie Fristacky, MTF Deputy Chair and Cr Alex Makin, Acting Chairperson of the ETC, said there is broad agreement on the need for the Commonwealth to resume funding public transport, in the same manner as it does roads.

“The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) recently resolved that it will continue to campaign forfederal funding of urban transport systems, a position supported by both the MTF and ETC.

“The new Rudd government has a policy supporting Commonwealth funding; the Federal ALP platform states:

“ensure that Australians have access to adequate transport services by providing appropriate financial assistance to State governments to improve and extend public transport systems in urban areas.”

“The Victorian Government advocated in 2006, for Auslink to include urban public transport.

“With a consensus that we need to take strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are urging the new government to implement this policy and do what the last Federal ALP Government did, fund urban public transport.

“There are many projects in Victoria that require substantial capital investment and which would deliver large benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, congestion and prohibitive costs of transport for struggling families.

“The Victorian Government could seek Commonwealth contribution to any one of a number of projects; examples being,

  • Rail to Doncaster
  • Rail to South Morang
  • Rail to Rowville
  • Rail to Torquay

“We look forward to the end of the blame game in public transport,” Cr Fristacky and Cr Makin concluded.

For more information or comment:

Cr. Alex Makin (ETC) Mobile: 0408 311 645
Cr Jackie M Fristacky (MTF) Mobile: 0412 597 794

Media Release: Eastern Transport Coalition welcomes Federal Government funding

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The Eastern Transport Coalition welcomes the announcement of Federal Government funding for grade separation at the Springvale Road, Nunawading railway crossing.

Councillor Alex Makin represents Maroondah City Council on the Eastern Transport Coalition.

“The funding from the Federal Government for this important public transport infrastructure improvement, while assisting road traffic congestion, also paves the way for future funding to assist with high capacity public transport projects,” said Cr Makin.

ETC Chairperson Cr Van De Vreede said the “grade separation will help reduce traffic congestion at one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections and likewise a rail to Rowville, a rail to Doncaster and increasing the capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale lines would reduce congestion on many more roads.

“If the Federal Government is happy to provide funding to reduce congestion on roads which are traditionally the responsibility of the State Government why shouldn’t they provide funding for high capacity public transport projects which will do the same?” It’s a ‘no brainer’.

“Such public transport projects will also serve to protect our families from the impacts of rising oil prices by giving them transport choices.”

The community in the eastern suburbs wants the Federal Government to help with funding. In a major survey of 1000 voters in the east 62% of respondents said it was not acceptable that the Federal Government provided funding for major roads but not for public transport infrastructure.

“This supports the Federal parliamentary Committee on Environment and Heritage decision that the provision of Australian Government transport infrastructure funds ‘include provision of funding specifically for sustainable public transport infrastructure for suburbs and developments on the outer fringes of our cities’.”

“Phil Baressi was a member of the Committee for part of this inquiry so he understands the importance of public transport in improving the sustainability of our cities.

“I look forward to more decisions by the Federal Government to provide funding in areas where they have not traditionally done so, first it was a hospital, now its grade separations, hopefully tomorrow its public transport,” Cr Van De Vreede concluded.

The Eastern Transport Coalition is made up of seven Councils in Melbourne’s east, representing over 940,000 residents, with a primary focus on advocating for improved transport choices in the east.

Maroondah Journal: East misses out on extra trains

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The Belgrave and Lilydale lines have been missed completely by a new train timetable announced by Conex and the State Government and the Maroondah Journal has reported on this neglect:

Eastern Transport Coalition spokesman, Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin, said the east had been neglected. “The Belgrave and Lilydale lines, which serve Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have been neglected by the State Government despite growing patronage and peak hour overcrowding.”

While other lines were provided with additional shoulder peak services, the Belgrave and Lilydale lines were provided with nothing, despite the inadequate half hourly services that exist during interpeak and non-peak times on weekdays.

“Rather than continuing to play catch-up, the State Government should have used this opportunity to provide significant improvements to train services.”

A major review of Melbourne’s rail timetables is required to ensure that frequent services and efficient scheduling that would help minimise overcrowding. Unfortunately the new timetable which will take effect from the 30th of September provides little more than just minor tweaking on those lines that were fortunate enough to see additional services.

Eastern Transport Coalition – Meeting the Minister

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This evening’s Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) meeting included a discussion with Lynne Kosky, the Minister for Public Transport. While the chair of the ETC, Cr. Mick van de Vreede, met the Minister earlier this year, tonight’s meeting marked the first occasion where the Minister addressed the entire organisation.

Encouragingly the Minister acknowledged the current difficulties with Melbourne’s public transport system and in this regard the Minister stated that work is being undertaken to accelerate the projects listed within Meeting Our Transport Challenges. While this is welcome news the Minister did stop short of agreeing to undertake a detailed assessment of the infrastructure needs of the region., meaning that the detailed planning required to ensure the sustainability of Melbourne’s east is still sorely lacking.

I asked a question in regard to the State Government’s support for the Ringwood Transit City Project and the need for the redevelopment of Ringwood Station. The Minister replied that Ringwood is one of a number of projects supported through the Transit City initiative meaning that funding should hopefully be forthcoming. The redevelopment of Ringwood Station is critical to the success of the Transit City given that Council has invested heavily in the concept and is actively encouraging sustainable forms of transport through footpath construction with new developments. Likewise there is also a need to further improve the bus network so that public transport becomes the mode of choice within Transit Cities such as Ringwood.

While the Minister didn’t provide too many details, it was encouraging to see the establishment of dialogue between the ETC and the current Minister for Public Transport. The Eastern Transport Coalition will be pursuing a number of these issues in its submission to the Melbourne 2030 Audit. This will help ensure that these issues continue to be raised with the State Government.

Likewise the ETC will be continuing its campaign to focus on the infrastructure needs of the Eastern region, including the need for additional rail services from Ringwood. An event is scheduled for early October and will mirror the campaign that led the successful removal of zone three.