Altona Loop
The Altona Loop communities are in desperate need of improved public transport services however new timetables actually cut the trains in this growth area. Colleen Hartland has been driving the campaign to Save Altona Loop - you can keep up to date with the campaign details here.
Approximately 120 people attended a public meeting to discuss the issue on 5 December, raising issue primarily with cancellations of the Altona loop train.
Colleen finally managed to get some answers on just how bad the cancellations are:
"I finally have a response from the Minister for Transport, Minister Mulder, on cancellations: the Altona train service was cancelled 54 times in three months. People who are old or disabled are having to change at Laverton station. There are no ramps at Laverton station, and the lifts often break down -- in fact 47 times in three months."
For more questions about the Altona Loop to the Minister for Transport and his answers, click here.
High-speed rail
Senator Richard Di Natale and Adam Bandt MP are both advocates of a high-speed rail system.
“We could have clean, affordable and super-fast travel to and from regional centres like Albury-Wodonga – just imagine the potential for local jobs, tourism and opportunities to move to regional Victoria," said Richard.
For details of the Australian Greens vision for high speed rail, click here.
We Won't Stand For It
Greg Barber has taken the fight for better public transport into the technology age, with an app to record real time data from people's journeys on Melbourne's public transport. You can join in the campaign and help us to gather real information about what is happening on our trams and trains.
Regional Rail Link
In principle, like most local residents, the Greens support the Regional Rail Link as a good investment. However, it will have a major impact on homes and businesses in Barkly Street, Victoria Street, Albert Street, Short Street and the surrounding parts of middle Footscray. Colleen Hartland says "I want Regional Rail Link to go ahead, although I think it should be a suburban electric rail line from Tarneit onwards. I think it's the usual second class deal from the government that residents in the western suburbs have to have a diesel service, when the eastern suburbs get electric trains." You can read more about this issue here.
Colac Otway Shire - Greens Councillor Stephen Hart
The Colac Otway Shire Council have been lobbying for an increase in the rail services between Colac and Geelong. The new State Government agreed to introduce extra services after the matter was raised by Council in the lead up to the last State election.
Apparently, there is a need for a passing loop to be constructed to allow the extra train services however, in the meantime, a bus service has been introduced in the evenings from Geelong to Colac. This means it is feasible to travel from Colac to Geelong by train and return in the afternoon from Geelong to Colac by bus. Read more here.