The Victorian Government is seeking additional funding from the Federal Government to improve its public transport system
By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | March 8, 2012
Victoria’s Transport Minister Terry Mulder hit Melbourne’s air waves this week spruiking the case for more Federal funding to inject life into the state’s public transport system.
Speaking on 774 ABC Melbourne Drive program, Mulder says the Victorian government needs to triple its spending over the next decade according to a recent Auditor General’s report.
“When you look at the patronage growth we have in front of us, we are small in terms of revenue streams compared to the Federal Government – there is now a template in terms of them being prepared to assist and help,” Mulder says.
“They’ve got their fingerprints on a couple of these projects and we would like them to continue to assist us because we have announced we have put a lot of planning money into an airport link to Melbourne Airport and $6.5 million for Doncaster initial planning.”
He says the government is “serious” about making the two projects happen.
“When you are a new government and you announce a new project, you have to go through a planning process and build a business case,” Mulder says.
“We would not be putting up $6.5 million for Doncaster or the airport rail link if we were not serious about it.
“Once again, they are projects that we would like the Federal Government to assist us with as is the case with Avalon Airport.
“We believe our first port of call is to go to the Federal Government and ask them to partner with us as they have with many road projects.”
Thirty-eight trains will be rolled out in the nearest future, including 2000 new bus services.