Mayors make a stand on transport

By Alison Noonan
CASEY mayor Kevin Bradford will join a taskforce of Melbourne’s 31 mayors to tackle the state’s public transport crisis.
Cr Bradford said he had been invited by Melbourne Lord Mayor John So to take part in the forum early next year to lobby the State Government to improve public transport around the city’s fringe councils.
He said the group would pursue common issues and share ideas.
“The group will discuss public transport into the future and how local government can work with the State Government to assist public transport around the state,” he said.
Cr Bradford said the lack of public transport was a huge issue in Casey, particularly in the coastal villages and Pearcedale.
“Everyone knows that public transport in Casey is poor,” he said.
“We still have a long way to go to enable residents from all over to transverse the city.
“The coastal villages and Pearcedale are among the worst serviced areas for public transport in Casey, followed by Cranbourne East and West.”
Cr Bradford said the massive growth throughout the city warranted new and improved public transport measures for residents.
“There is a new supermarket in Tooradin and Casey Fields in Cranbourne East. They are both becoming large activity centres and creating more interest for people to move into these areas but we need public transport,” he said.
Cr Bradford said council realised that it was virtually impossible for the state government to extend or create new rail lines.
He claimed the future of the city’s public transport would involve an extremely well implemented and managed bus service.
“There is currently only one bus service for Cranbourne West and Cranbourne East and we are trying to get a service up and running for the coastal villages,” he said.
“But we need more. Council is extremely committed to encouraging the state government to do all it can to improve public transport.”
The new taskforce is also expected to discuss tourism, parking, graffiti and crime.