RESIDENTS are being given a forum on what is shaping up as the headline state election issue - public transport.
Last week, an online public survey, pt4me2, was launched by the Metropolitan Transport Forum, a coalition of 18 Melbourne councils including Casey.
The surveys will be promoted until April 30, asking respondents for their opinions on public transport issues and what needs to be fixed as their first priority. The results will be presented to political parties in May.
MTF chairwoman Jackie Fristacky said the anti-Government backlash in this month's Altona byelection showed that public transport was a major state election issue. "If it applies as a headline issue in Altona, then it would certainly be a concern in Casey."
Two days after the survey's launch, about 2000 responses had been collated.
Cr Fristacky said early responses complained of a lack of services in growth areas such as Casey.
"If there are no buses in new suburbs, then people give up on public transport and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Casey Mayor Lorraine Wreford said public transport services in the municipality were not on a par with inner Melbourne suburbs.
She praised the State Government for building new car parks at stations such as Berwick and Cranbourne, but said bus services needed improving.
"There needs to be an increase in the hours of operation, frequency, areas of coverage and linkages to railway stations.
"The State Government's commitment to construct Lynbrook station is great news for our community and we look forward to receiving a firm commitment by the Government on the timing of the delivery of Cranbourne East railway station."
Click here to vote at www.pt4me2.org.au
Also, vote in our poll, top right.
Responses to sample questions from the pt4me2 survey
State Government and Opposition spokesman, a lobbyist, and a Brewick resident were asked to respond to sample questions from the pt4me2 survey.
1. The best thing about Casey public transport is ...
State Government spokesman: Increase in patronage is being matched with record Government investment, including a fleet of 38 new trains.
Terry Mulder, Opposition transport spokesman: Trains are able to operate at up to 115kmh between Cranbourne and Dandenong, which by Melbourne standards is fast.
Jeremy Lunn, Public Transport Users Association: Rail infrastructure. Few cities in the world are lucky enough to have developed around railway lines, rather than have railway lines retrofitted.
Una, of Berwick, member of Narre Warren Senior Citizens Club: Reasonable [cost] for pensioners.
2. The worst thing about Casey public transport is ...
SG: No response.
TM: No railway station at Lynbrook yet, infrequency and hours of local bus services, and rail line has not extended to Cranbourne East.
JL: The lack of co-ordination transferring between a bus and train. It would also help if the buses were more frequent.
U: Infrequent, unclean train services.
3. Have train services improved or declined in the past decade?
SG: Has been 48 new weekly services since April 2008. Invested in a third Dandenong line track and Cranbourne station upgrade. Construction on Lynbrook and Cardinia Road station are due to start this year.
TM: Trains are more overcrowded. The service has got worse due to Labor's failure to plan for Casey and Melbourne's population growth. The Cranbourne line was consistently among the three worst performers for 'officially late' trains in 2009.
JL: The actual level of service has been stagnant, although patronage has gone up, meaning the experience for most passengers has declined.
U: The same. It was safer though when there was staff on station platforms.
4. Have bus services improved or declined in the past decade?
SG: Since 2006, three new bus routes and a NightRider route have been introduced in Casey. Eight existing bus routes improved, with more frequent services and longer operating hours.
TM: The Victorian Coalition supports the extension of bus operating hours, but with Casey's growth, Labor's bus services have failed to keep pace.
JL: The level of bus services (that is, frequency) hasn't kept up with people's needs.
U: Improved. In Berwick, more bus services have been introduced.
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