Candidates plug election policies at Metropolitan Transport Forum in Stonnington

LIBERAL MP Clem Newton-Brown asked attendees at last night’s Stonnington Metropolitan Transport Forum to judge the Coalition Government “on our record” on public transport.

New bike lanes

MELBOURNE’S transport woes had Victorian election candidates head-to-head last night at Stonnington’s Metropolitan Transport Forum.

Prahran state Liberal MP Clem Newton-Brown asked attendees to judge the Coalition Government “on our record” on public transport.

Mr Newton-Brown, his Labor rival for the seat, Neil Pharoah, and Greens candidate Sam Hibbins went head-to-head at the forum at Functions on Chapel in Prahran, outlining their policies on a raft of transport issues.

Mr Newton-Brown said the Coalition had invested $24 billion into transport infrastructure since 2010 and in turn created 26,000 jobs, as well as increasing reliability for train services.

He said the Melbourne Rail Link would provide a new underground station at South Yarra which

Greens candidate Sam Hibbins says he wants money invested in creating a world-class public transport system. Picture: Mike Keating

would move 35,000 more people an hour.

“It’s also a rail link to the airport, which the community has been crying out for decades,” Mr Newton-Brown said.

Cr Hibbins, a Stonnington councillor, said his priorities were public transport and active transport, such as bikes.

“Because it (public transport) works,” Cr Hibbins said.

“It can move more people more often, more efficiently and more sustainably than car-based systems can.”

He said liveability in Prahran was under threat because of “overcrowding and unreliability” of public transport.

“We are opposed to the East West Link and want to invest that money into creating a world-class public transport system.

“We will rip up the contracts even if they are signed.”

Cr Hibbins said the Greens policy also included filling in missing links on tram route, including the number 3 tram, which they would extend out to Chadstone Shopping Centre.

“We are opposed to the East West Link and want to invest that money into creating a world-class public transport system. We will rip up the contracts even if they are signed.” — Greens candidate Sam Hibbins

Mr Pharaoh said the Coalition was “moving goalposts on punctuality and reliability” and said Labor would remove 50 of the worst level crossings, trial 24-hour public transport on Friday and Saturday nights and fund an upgrade to Punt Rd and Hoddle St to ease congestion.

“There are also ways that we can encourage people to access shops and areas by walking and cycling,” Mr Pharaoh said.

Labor candidate for Prahran Neil Pharaoh says the 50 worst level crossings should go and there should be trials of 24-hour public transport. Picture: Susan Windmiller

Questions from members of the public centred on transport to Chadstone, cycling and the underpass at St Kilda Junction, tram signals and bus routes.

Melbourne resident Richard Northrope asked what each party would do to market the “extremely under-utilised bus service” and better advertise their routes.

Mr Newton-Brown agreed the bus routes needed “better promotion”, while Mr Pharaoh suggested an app similar to Tram Tracker.

The forum was jointly organised by the Metropolitan Transport Forum and Leader Community Newspapers.