Reader reaction: How can we fix Melbourne’s traffic and train congestion?

READER REACTION: We asked you how we should fix Melbourne’s worsening traffic and public transport congestion. Here’s what you had to say.

Train station chaos during a peak time. Picture: Rob Leeson

WE asked and you voted.

According to the Sunday Herald Sun poll on how we can fix Melbourne’s traffic and train congestion, the people of Victoria believe the cancellation of the east-west project was a “mammoth mistake”.

“Bring back the east west link please,” one reader said.

“The cancellation of the previous east-west plan was a complete disaster.”

Splashing cash on more train and tram lines was a key point for most readers.

“Spend more on public transport. We cannot build more traffic lanes on our roads, we need to spend money wisely on projects that move people not vehicles.”

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It comes after a report commissioned by Infrastructure Victoria paints a dire picture for car and train commuters with crippling congestion already occurring in the inner city networks which is predicted to spread to outer suburban roads and metropolitan train lines in the coming years.

The Sunday Herald Sun revealed last week that the morning peak now lasts a record 2.7 hours, 3.2 hours in the afternoon and out of peak delays have increased by 30 per cent.

One reader suggested the problem could be solved by moving away from the road and rail networks and instead implementing staggered start times for workers.

“Get out of the 9-5 mentality - start schools at 7am, keep retail open until 11pm and incentivise companies to have people telecommuting or spreading out start times from 8am-10am. Stop the whole of Melbourne starting work and school at 9am.”

Others called for more office jobs to be moved out of the CBD to combat congestion.

Peak morning traffic on the Eastern Freeway. Picture: Ian Currie

One reader boldly suggested we follow suit with rules already in place in Beijing, which means drivers could only use their cars on certain weekdays depending on their number plates.

“Use of odd or even number plate days to reduce traffic.”

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The Sunday Herald Sun revealed last week that train commutes are also looking grim with some lines to begin overflowing in the 2030s, despite the introduction of the $11 billion Metro Rail Project.

Readers believe public transport needed a cash injection with more frequent and reliable services, according to the poll.

“We need more frequent trains, buses and carpool lanes on the highways. The perception from the public is that our public transport is terrible. We need more bike facilities and paths, perhaps a bike storage area in the CBD,” one reader suggested.

The same reader said they were unable to “get a seat on the train at Williams Landing” and suggested more trains during peak hour.

“Unless I’m on a train before 7am I might get a seat, but even then it’s hit and miss.”

A London-style rail network with interconnecting lines was another top suggestion from Sunday Herald Sun readers.

“Rail lines that connect up with other lines instead of commuters all having to transfer in the city,” one reader said.

“Build new lines via tunnels that connect existing lines with each other,” another suggested.

“We need to build the same train infrastructure as London,” another added.

The survey highlighted a desire for key thoroughfares like Punt Rd and Warrigal Rd to be widened.

“We need to fix recurring bottlenecks,” a reader said.

The survey saw renewed calls for a fast train to the airport.

“Melbourne airport rail should be a high priority,” one reader said.

“If we keep building more roads they will just keep filling up with more cars. Almost all equivalent cities in the world have greater emphasis on public transport and thus is what we need. Sending more on public transport is the key.”

Some readers believed flying cars or traveling by helicopter instead was the answer.