Survey used to back transport funding

THE Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) has used a new community survey to lend people power to its push for the Federal Government to fund public transport infrastructure.
ETC chairman and Knox councillor Mick Van de Vreede last week released the findings of a 1000-person survey conducted on the ETC’s behalf by the Australian Research Group, claiming that the results show clear support for federal funding.
Cr Van de Vreede said that of the 1000 people surveyed in key federal electorates in Melbourne’s east, 62 per cent said it was not acceptable for the Federal Government to provide funding for major roads and not for public transport infrastructure.
Further, 71 per cent of people surveyed said they used cars to get to work, but 61 per cent said they would use public transport if the option was available.
The ETC is hoping to use the figures to lend support to its push for consideration for local projects such as a heavy rail line to Rowville and upgrades to the current Belgrave line.
Cr Van de Vreede said that while the Federal Government provides billions of dollars for major road infrastructure, it refuses to see public transport as a viable way to reduce traffic congestion.
“The fact is: public transport can achieve the same ends of taking private cars off the roads, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emission and leaving space for freight,” he said.