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