The Victorian Government has pledged over $100 million to improve public transport
The Victorian Government has announced plans for a significant package of public transport works as part of the East West Link project worth $108 million.
The package will provide a major boost for public transport users, cyclists and pedestrians who are seeking to access the CBD, as announced last week.
The package includes a $47 million upgrade of the Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART) bus service, $29 million for tram improvements and $32 million for urban renewal on Alexandra Parade.
The DART upgrade will see new bus lanes along Hoddle Street and upgraded bus stops.
“There are some 3.8 million passenger trips on DART each year and these improvements will deliver real benefits to those passengers, reducing delays, improving travel time reliability and creating potential for additional services,” says Transport Minister Terry Mulder.
“We will consult relevant councils about these improvements, which are designed to preserve all existing running lanes for cars.”
Premier Denis Napthine says as a result of the East West Link project, the integrated transport project has been developed which will deliver benefits for road and public transport users and the broader Victorian economy.
“This will create a real difference for the 80,000 tram and 20,000 bus passengers travelling on north-south routes that cross Alexandra Parade, Victoria Parade and Brunswick Road each day and are routinely held up by traffic lights and slow-moving traffic,” he says.