Eastern suburbs and Hills locals to stand up for public transport
Perth people will make their views on WA’s public transport heard in a series of community meetings throughout the city, including one in Kalamunda on Monday, September 5th.
The Greens are facilitating a community response to the State Government’s 20 year public transport plan, which leaves huge gaps in the north-west, eastern and southern corridors.
Alison Xamon, MLC for the East Metropolitan Region said over-crowded commuter trains and patchy public transport coverage are ongoing issues in her constituency.
“Once you go just a few kilometres away from the train line, public transport options in this region evaporate. Residents in the Perth Hills have particularly poor services, making them extremely vulnerable to rising fuel costs.”
“The public transport plan looks good on paper, but it is dangerously short on ambition,” said Lynn MacLaren, Greens WA spokesperson for Transport. “The State Government is asking for submissions through a short survey on their website. The Greens are taking it a step further by actively working with people who are being stranded by increasing costs and overcrowded public transport.”
Seven public action forums will take place across the metropolitan area in regions that are in dire need of public transport improvements and alternatives.
The public action forum in the Hills will be onMonday 5th of September(6:45 for a 7:00pm start) at the Jack Healy Centre - Cnr Mead Street and Canning Road, Kalamunda.
The forum is open to all members of the public and will feature information on the 20 year plan from the Department of Transport, Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and member of Infrastructure Australia, East Metro Greens MLC Alison Xamon – who will MC the event, Lynn MacLaren MLC and Senator Scott Ludlam, Australian Greens federal spokesperson for Transport.
“The state government has missed major opportunities for Federal public transport funding to get the first light rail lines into the city. Premier Barnett needs to get into gear and submit a proposal to Infrastructure Australia that we can all get behind,” said Senator Ludlam. “This is an opportunity for the people of Perth to have their say and help shape the future of public transport in Perth.”
For more information and to find out the dates for all of the forums visit www.scottludlam.org.au/pt-plan or phone (08) 9335 7477.