Relief plan for train strain

By Bridget Brady
BRINGING forward the construction date of Lynbrook train station is one of the priorities for Casey in the transport initiative pt4me2 Metropolitan Transport Plan.
The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) prepared the plan to improve urban public transport and to influence State Government funding announcements next month.
City of Casey mayor Janet Halsall and Janet Rice from the MTF last Monday launched the Casey plan at the Cranbourne Library.
Cr Halsall said the Lynbrook station was one of the priorities for the City of Casey, because it was not due to be completed until at least 2016.
Other priorities include constructing a new station at Cranbourne East, manning all stations, introducing more frequent bus services, duplicating the rail line between Cranbourne and Dandenong and improving car parking at Merinda Park, Narre Warren and Berwick stations.
Casey-Cardinia Communities for Public Transport president Alex Makin said the priorities outlined were all worthy projects.
“Bringing forward the date (of Lynbrook station) is not just a priority, it’s a necessity,” Mr Makin said.
Mr Makin said the construction of a new train station was not a very difficult project to complete, especially because the Lynbrook and Cranbourne East stations had been on the drawing board for more than 10 years.
“If the government got its act together these projects could be completed in the next two or three years.”
Cr Halsall said continued investment in public transport was needed because the rapid growth in Casey placed enormous strain on the transport system.
“We need pre-emptive transport action now to cope with the 124 new residents moving to Casey each week,” Cr Halsall said.
“Casey residents deserve to have access to safe, reliable and frequent public transport.”
Mr Makin agreed the public transport system was strained.
“In some cases what we have now is not meeting existing needs, so there is no chance of meeting further needs.”
The pt4me2 Metropolitan Transport Plan is available at www.pt4me2.org.au