By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG’S public transport stoush continues with two Liberal politicians announcing a forum following a “public outcry” on recent changes.
Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson and state South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said the forum was in response to a flood of negative feedback on timetable changes.
Ms Henderson said the new Regional Rail Link was failing to live up to expectations in a number of areas.
“The jointly funded federal/state Regional Rail Link project was intended to deliver better outcomes for all commuters, especially the people of Geelong and Corangamite,” she said.
“The result has been far from satisfactory, with overcrowded trains and unreliable timetables.
“To make matters worse, the introduction of a new bus timetable has resulted in bus routes being changed, to the detriment of those who need the bus service the most.
“Many local residents are extremely angered by Labor’s timetable changes.”
Mr Katos said the Andrews Government had “botched” Regional Rail Link and changes to bus timetables and routes.
“My office has been inundated with complaints around both the RRL and buses.
“The changes to the bus routes and timetables have particularly impacted on the elderly and students.
“We’re holding this forum so that public transport users in Geelong can voice their concerns and also to give them an opportunity to offer constructive solutions to the problems created by Daniel Andrews.”
The Public Transport Forum will be at Burdoo Reserve, Grovedale, at 7pm on 25 August.
Public transport shadow minister David Hodgett and Rural and Regional Transport shadow parliamentary secretary Simon Ramsay will also attend.
Public Transport Users Association Geelong convenor Paul Westcott welcomed the forum as long as it was not simply “a bashing”.
“If it is a genuine attempt to find out what people see as the problems and find a solution then it can help,” Mr Westcott said.
“Both sides of politics bear some responsibility for both sets of changes and I would be disappointed if the forum was just political.”
The Government had not responded to the Independent’s request for comment before the paper went to press.
