I write to you as Chairman of the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC), in reference to your offer on 9 May to
contribute to consultation pertaining to the (MRP or MR3) Review.

As you would be aware, the ETC represents approximately one million residents across seven municipalities in metropolitan Melbourne and advocates (to all levels of government) the provision of sustainable transport.

The ETC is a renowned and representative organisation that conducts its activities in a constructive manner by working with all levels of government and strategic partners to achieve its objectives.

It is within this spirit the ETC accepts your invitation to submit to the MRP consultation process, and looks forward to the response by the Victorian government.

The ETC believes the Objectives (as prescribed by the DOI) for the MRP (MR3) review process are well aligned with those sought by the ETC.  The ETC both notes the objectives of the review, and makes considered responses to each objective in an appropriate, researched and considered fashion.

Fundamentally important to each parliamentary officer and Minister involved in consideration of these matters, is the true and effective functionality of the public transport network.

In the past, the matter of public transport has been considered somewhat a service that ‘should be provided’ as opposed to being a ‘substantial community need’.

Within the realities of increasing oil costs, an ageing population, a burgeoning crisis in the eficient economic capacity of the economy, the participation of all people in the community must be considered. Public transport is itself an institution that has and will continue to provide people with access to social, recreational, educational and employment opportunities.

Surely this is enough to make the Victorian government consider enhancements as a priority in order to achieve its broader social, economic and environmental objectives.

• Read Metropolitan Train and Tram Refranchising Project (MRP) – ETC Suggestions

ETC Chairperson, Cr Mick Van De Vreede has welcomed the establishment of the Building Australia Fund as a clear commitment from the Federal Government to fund significant urban public transport projects.

“The ETC has been campaigning for the Federal Government to once again fund significant urban public transport projects and the Building Australia fund is the first step in doing that.

“This is our opportunity to secure funding for rail to Rowville, rail to Doncaster and expansions of capacity of the Belgrave/Lilydale line and Dandenong lines.

“With Eastlink almost open its time for the outer east to campaign for better public transport.

“Funding extensions to rail in outer urban areas will help families deal with the rising cost of living and tackle climate change.

“Our community agrees with this. In a survey of 1000 voters conducted last year by Auspol the key finding was that a majority of people believe that the Federal Government should consider funding major additions to urban public transport in the same manner it funds roads.

“There were a number of reasons why people want better public transport. For instance 54% of respondents said the lack or poor quality of public transport infrastructure had a direct affect on their family, 67% said it increased their fuel costs and 65% said it increased their travel time.

“Two weeks ago we also spoke to over 500 local commuters at the Box Hill, Glen Waverley and Belgrave railway stations, Monash University and the Doncaster Park and Ride. The clear message is that they want upgrades, extensions and increased rail services.

• 71 per cent of commuters at the Doncaster Park and Ride want rail to Doncaster
• 51 per cent of commuters at the Belgrave station want more services on Belgrave/Lilydale line
• 50 per cent of commuters at the Box Hill station want more services on Belgrave/Lilydale line
• 33 per cent of commuters at Monash Uni want rail to Rowville and 24 per cent want more services on the Dandenong line
• 52 per cent of commuters at Glen Waverly want more services on the Glen Waverley line

“The ETC will write to the Federal Transport Minister seeking a portion of the $75M fund for feasibility studies be used to create a public transport upgrade plan for the outer east, which would include extensions to rail and integrate with the public transport outcomes of the Eddington study,” Cr Mick Van De Vreede concluded.

For more information please contact;

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350

The ETC has conducted a survey of public transport users across the eastern suburbs, asking users heir views of current services, how they may be improved and about the free early bird train tickets.

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede said that commuters want more rail services, new lines
and the free early bird train tickets extended to connecting buses and trams.

“The State Government budget is the perfect opportunity to address some of these issues.

“Representatives of the ETC spoke to 592 users at the Box Hill, Glen Waverly and Belgrave railway
stations, Monash University and the Doncaster Park and Ride.

“The results show that only around 24 per cent of commuters believe that the current train or bus
services meet their needs and that there is demand for new and increased services.

“It comes as no surprise that commuters waiting for a bus at Doncaster, which they can’t be
guaranteed of getting a seat on, want a train line instead.

“Users of the Belgrave station and Box Hill station want more services on the Belgrave/Lilydale line and students at Monash Uni just want better public transport services including a rail extension form Huntingdale and on to Rowville.

“This highlights the fact that we need a long term plan to improve public transport services in the east. The past year has seen public transport patronage significantly increase following the removal of zone 3 and massive hikes in the price of fuel. How will it cope if even more people decide to use it?

“The Eddington report did not look at the public transport needs of residents east of Warrigal Road and the ETC is determined to ensure that as we act to improve the east west transport connections the outer east is not ignored.

“We also asked commuters if they think that the early bird free train tickets are a good idea – and they do think they are a good idea but want the tickets extended to buses and trams. Commuters know that there is no point to a free train ticket if you have to buy a ticket for the bus to get to the train!” Cr Mick Van De Vreede concluded.

DETAILS: 592 survey’s conducted at Box Hill, Glen Waverly and Belgrave railway stations, Monash
University, the Doncaster Park and Ride and online.

Top ranked infrastructure upgrades by location

• 71 per cent of commuters at the Doncaster Park and Ride want rail to Doncaster
• 51 per cent of commuters at the Belgrave station want more services on Belgrave/Lilydale line
• 50 per cent of commuters at the Box Hill station want more services on Belgrave/Lilydale line
• 33 per cent of commuters at Monash Uni want rail to Rowville and 24 per cent want more services on the Dandenong line
• 52 per cent of commuters at Glen Waverly want more services on the Glen Waverley line

Commuters satisfied with their service by location

• 26 per cent of commuters at the Belgrave station believe the train service meet their needs
• 28 per cent of commuters at the Box Hill station believe the train service meet their needs
• 27 per cent of commuters at the Doncaster Park and Ride believe the bus service meets their
• needs
• 22 per cent of commuters at Monash University believe the bus service meets their needs
• 30 per cent of commuters at Glen Waverly believe the train services meet their needs and 12
• per cent believe the bus services meet their needs

Views on early bird free train tickets

• 79 per cent think the early bird train tickets are a good idea
• 94 per cent want the free tickets extended to connecting trams and buses

For more information please contact;

ETC Chairperson Cr Mick Van De Vreede 0438 029 932
CPR Communications, Robert Larocca 0409 198 350