MP calls for more transport

By Glen Atwell
SOUTH Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich believes the State Government must urgently provide public transport infrastructure to the City of Casey to reach lofty travel targets.
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as part of the 2006 Census of Population and Housing: Method of Travel to Work show only 5.95 per cent of respondents used a form of public transport to get to work.
The Brumby Government wants to increase that figure to 20 per cent.
But Ms Peulich said the State Government’s failure to deliver key public transport projects in the City of Casey will make that target impossible to reach.
“The State Labor Government has suggested that public transport travel should be 20 per cent, that target will never be reached without upgrading the Casey public transport facilities,” Ms Peulich said.
“How can Casey residents take the State Government seriously when they promise both Cranbourne East and Lynbrook Railway Stations, get elected, then either cancel or delay the projects.”
Casey-Cardinia Communities for Public Transport spokesman Alex Makin said that residents would have to wait until at least 2012 to see action on the Cranbourne East and Lynbrook Railway Stations.
“As it stands at the moment, residents of Lynbrook and Cranbourne East will have until between 2012 and 2016 to see construction begin,” he said.
“The 20 per cent target is definitely noble and should be set and the community should help reach the target.
“But if the Government is serious about it, then let’s see some action on the Lynbrook station.”
Mr Makin applauded the Government’s recent decision to upgrade Cranbourne Railway Station, but said it was a roundabout way to increase overall usage.
“Improved frequency of services will encourage new users to take the train to work, not the construction of stabling facilities,” he said.