Transcript
4 September, 2012 Steve Coughlan Candidate for Jacksons Creek Ward, Hume City Council Public Transport Policy SmartBus Extension As a growing part of Greater Melbourne, Sunbury has historically been linked to neighbouring Suburbs and Towns via a Radial train line, only presenting the option of travelling toward the Melbourne CBD. Existing cross suburban bus routes are inadequate, due to their poor frequency, and operating times. I propose to heavily lobby the State Government and Public Transport Victoria to change this situation by extending the 901 SmartBus service to Bulla and Sunbury, while also diverting it via Mickelham Road and Melrose Drive, Tullamarine. This would add only 27 minutes to the 4 hour route, requiring only four additional buses. The Governments SmartBus program provides an orbital Bus Service, allowing for quick and frequent travel across neighbouring suburbs without the need to travel to Melbourne’s CBD. Extending the 901 SmartBus to Sunbury would open up access for Sunbury Residents to Educational, Recreational and Employment opportunities elsewhere in Hume, and beyond. The service would also bring the whole residential part of the suburb of Tullamarine and the Township of Bulla within 400 meters of 15 minutely Public Transport, achieving the State Governments goal of having 95% of the population within 400 meters of Public Transport. With opportunity to grow patronage of the service, I propose to work with Central Victorian Municipalities to promote Sunbury as the ‘Gateway to Melbourne Airport’, linking the SmartBus service with Vline trains at Sunbury Station. Representation on Metropolitan Transport Forum The Metropolitan Transport Forum is a lobby group made up of Local Councils and other interest groups, who create policy shaping Public Transport Policy. This group consists of, among others, twenty two Melbourne based Local Councils. These councils send a Council Officer to attend the meetings, and most Councils have a Councillor attend. Hume City Council do not have a Councillor attend these meetings, missing out on a valuable opportunity to
have those responsible for formulating Council Policies, also involved in this Lobby Group. If elected to Council, I will ensure that Public Transport is seen as a priority within Hume City Council, and will ensure that a Hume Councillor is appointed as representative to the Melbourne Transport Forum.
Authorised by Stephen Coughlan, 61 Curtis Av, Sunbury, 3429.