Greens candidate compares Frankston train trip to ‘a tin of sardines’

THE experience of travelling on public transport mirrors a tin of sardines, says Frankston Greens candidate Jeanette Swain.

Frankston train line. Commuters. Metro.

THE experience of travelling on public transport mirrors a tin of sardines, says Frankston Greens candidate Jeanette Swain.

Ms Swain made the comment after travelling from Flinders St to Frankston during the peak period.

The journey to Frankston took 55 minutes — 35 spent without a seat.

“The old parties are so out of touch with commuters and it’s just not good enough,” Ms Swain said.

“This highlighted how frustrating travel after work can be, when all you really want to do is relax and take a breather — how can we adequately promote public transport as the best mode of transport when the experience mirrors a tin of sardines?

Greens candidate for Frankston Jeanette Swain.

“It’s not fair to everyday commuters.”

But Liberal candidate Sean Armistead said the government had put millions of dollars into rail projects to improve the service for commuters.

“We are getting better signalling and more services,” he said.

Mr Armistead said data also showed that commuter satisfaction in the overall service was increasing.

But he acknowledged there was “much more to do” and the Coalition wanted to implement a comprehensive public transport strategy during the next term of office.

Labor candidate Paul Edbrooke said more investment in public transport was essential.

“For the government to be telling people the service is getting better when trains are skipping stations to meet performance targets is downright wrong,” he said.

Mr Edbrooke said the Coalition’s decision to take Flinders St Station off the Frankston line would definitely inconvenience many commuters.