GREENS: PTV Transdev fail on consultation 12 August 2014 Greens candidate for Bulleen, Ben Cronly, and candidate for Warrandyte, Richard Cranston, attended a public forum held by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and Transdev last night at the Manningham council offices. The event, although being referred to as a public forum by a representative of the Minister for Transport, Terry Mulder, appeared to be by invitation only. “What are the options for people in Templestowe who need to travel to the city on the 908 which now doesn’t run off peak and weekends?” asked Mr Cronly, Greens Candidate for Bulleen. Rather than offer an answer Mr Cronly’s question the Minister’s representative walked away. “This sort of consultation is not good enough,” said Samantha Dunn, Greens Upper House candidate for Eastern Metropolitan. “There are hundreds of people dissatisfied with the changes to the bus timetables, this pretense of a consultation is just paying lipservice to those who’ve taken the time to write, however there are many more unhappy about the changes. Where’s their opportunity to have a say? “I’m very concerned with the commuter stories that came out last night,” said Mr Cronly. “Hearing PTV and Transdev offer alternative routes that increase travel time by 47 minutes using 3 different bus services at 10pm is not acceptable and fails to provide safe and accessible bus services that the community expects. “I also heard stories of families that now have to drive their children to school due to the changes to route 271. “People attending commented to me that the forum was only being held to ‘shut them up’. “I’d suggest that PTV and Transdev go back to the drawing board and start to talk to the commuters that use their services in a genuine consultative process,” said Ms Dunn. “This, on top of the VAGO report criticising PTV’s failure to improve public transport connectivity, shows PTV in very poor light. “It’s clear buses aren’t a priority for this government, they care so little, they don’t even bother consulting on changes. “The Greens want to see a safe, convenient and accessible public transport system that assists people of all ages, abilities and locations to live full, active and independent lives, it’s critical to maintaining Melbourne’s liveability,” said Ms Dunn.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 02:05:53 +0000