Public transport was once again a key issue for voters in last weekend’s State Election, and the Eastern Transport Coalition now looks forward to working with the new government to realize much-needed rail and bus improvements.

ETC Chairman, Cr Peter Lockwood said leading up to the election, residents in the eastern suburbs had made it clear that improved public transport was a high priority.

“The Eastern Suburbs Transport Poll that we conducted earlier this year found that 64 per cent of residents rated improving and expanding public transport as a top or very high priority,” Cr Lockwood said.

“A majority of those people we surveyed also said they were more likely to vote for a party that committed to building key rail projects.

“During the election campaign, the Labor Party committed to improving the Huntingdale and Box Hill interchanges and to building the Melbourne Metro – we hope that they will now proceed with these projects as soon as possible.”

Cr Lockwood said the ETC also hoped to work with the government as it embarked on a long-overdue schedule of grade separations.

“As a coalition of seven local councils, the ETC has a great deal of collective knowledge and experience and we would appreciate the opportunity to provide input and assistance on the level crossings being removed in our area,” Cr Lockwood said.

“The needs of pedestrians, cyclists and better connections with buses should all be taken into consideration in the early planning stages, and the public who travel regularly as well as local councils have valuable insight that could benefit the projects.

“Commuters have waited so long for these projects, we want to see the best outcomes so that the needs of the people who use these services are properly met.”