Matthew Guy: Manningham bus changes more realistic than Doncaster Rail
OPPOSITION leader Matthew Guy says working with what Manningham already has is the most realistic way to beat the area’s transport blues.
East
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OPPOSITION leader Matthew Guy says improving Manningham’s bus network is a more realistic solution to the area’s public transport woes than building Doncaster rail.
Speaking exclusively to the Leader, Mr Guy foreshadowed investment in the embattled Doncaster Park and Ride and a total review of the bus network as crucial to improving services.
The Liberal MP for Bulleen said he wanted to encourage an uptake in public transport use in the area.
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“We want people to be using public transport so we need to be more pragmatic,” he said.
But he said while Doncaster rail had “some support” in Spring St, it was unlikely to be a realistic option anytime soon.
“It would involve long, long tunnels and it’s hillier than other areas,” he said.
“So there’s an acceptance that it would cost an enormous amount of money. There are other priorities for investment in heavy rail, like an airport link.”
It means any money for public transport is more likely to be spent on the embattled Doncaster Park and Ride, and on improving bus services themselves.
While the details of Mr Guy’s plan for the Park and Ride weren’t available ahead of the Leader’s deadline last week, it is believed the coalition is considering ways to improve parking.
Improving efficiency of services to and from the city will also be a priority.
“Having one big operator rather than several smaller ones might not be the best way to go, so it’s right to call for a review to the system,” Mr Guy said.
Commuters have been facing a growing battle for parking spaces and crowded queues to get on buses since the Leader started highlighting the issue in March, 2017.
Carpark overcrowding is forcing motorists to park in nearby residential streets while long wait times to get on already-crowded buses are also frustrating travellers.
Buses then hit gridlock getting off the Eastern Freeway at Hoddle St, with exclusive bus lanes not doing much to help the situation.
“When you’re getting out of the city, buses can’t overtake in the bus lane,” Mr Guy said.
“So if one bus stops they all stop and it leads to a hold up where it can take 35-40 minutes to get out of the city.
“We need to let them leave the bus lane.”
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