Advocacy group LeadWest is fighting for more public transport services across Melbourne’s west

A CAMPAIGN calling for more bus services, bus lanes and bike paths has been launched in a bid to improve public transport in the western suburbs.

Seddon resident Kim O’Neill is pushing for improved public transport services in Melbourne’s west. Picture: Mark Dadswell

A CAMPAIGN calling for more bus services, bus lanes and bike paths has been launched in a bid to improve public transport in the western suburbs.

Advocacy group LeadWest’s campaign Time for the West is pushing for a transport redevelopment, including a sprawling network of tram and bus services to connect suburbs across the west.

Poor connections, infrequent services and gridlock traffic have commuters seething, with some revealing it takes them hours to travel to neighbouring suburbs on public transport.

Seddon’s Kim O’Neill commutes to Footscray for work and said the traffic had never been more horrendous.

“The whole area is very congested, it’s gotten busier and busier,” Ms O’Neill said. “We are seeing an increase in volume of trucks, cars and cyclists, which is chaotic and dangerous at times”.

The Westgate Tunnel Project is expected to remove more than 9000 trucks from local streets but LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley said a lack of public transport was still an issue.

“Politicians haven’t done enough to ensure our transport systems can meet the needs of the population growth in Melbourne’s west,” Mr Rowley said.

Population in the western suburbs is set to double and outgrow Adelaide in the next 30 years.

RACV mobility advocacy manager Dave Jones said more than 140 public transport and road projects were needed across outer Melbourne suburbs to provide more transport options and ease congestion on roads.

Projects such as bus priority lanes at intersections and separate bike paths were among the recommendations.

“In the west, funding is also needed for cross-town bus services so that people have an alternative to car travel,” Mr Jones said.

A poll conducted in state electorates in Melbourne’s west found 57 per cent of voters agreed public transport would have a large impact on their vote in this year’s state election.

LeadWest is planning to meet with state MPs across the west and urges members of the community to also make contact in protest.