More than $22 million in funding for upgraded public transport infrastructure across regional Victoria has been announced
The $22.5 million program will upgrade bus stops, signage and access, as well as bus and coach interchanges.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan released the tender for the state government’s Road and Rail Minor Works program recently.
“This program will deliver the day-to-day upgrades that make a real difference – more parking at the local station, a secure place to lock your bike and better bus shelters so you’re not waiting in the rain,” she says.
“They’re local projects that have come out of the extensive consultation with local communities through the Regional Network Development Plan – Victoria’s first ever long term strategy for better regional public transport.”
“These works will take place in five regions across 25 cities and towns in Victoria. I encourage local builders and contractors to apply through the tender process, and help us build a better public transport system.”
The program will also deliver new car parks, more comfortable waiting areas, and better passenger information at train stations across rural and regional Victoria. It will improve cycling infrastructure at stations with new, secure bike cages and hoops to make it easier to get to ride to the station and catch the train.
The Road and Rail Minor Works program was funded in last year’s Victoria Budget, and is the product of extensive consultation with local communities during the development of the Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP).
The RNDP is Victoria’s first ever short, medium and long-term strategy for better regional public transport.
It was released last year along with $1.3 billion in the budget to kick-start initiatives in the plan.
Contracts are expected to be awarded by the end April, with construction due to start in late-2017 and to be finished by the end of next year.