Metlink welcomes recommendations made by Sir Rod Eddington’s East-West Link Needs Assessment to improve public transport infrastructure, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bernie Carolan said today.

“Sir Rod and his team are to be commended for engaging in a wide-ranging, inclusive and open-minded analysis of Melbourne’s transport needs to help address this city’s transport problems,” Mr Carolan said.

“With effectively facing the challenges of combating climate change, accommodating our growing population and tackling congestion critical to ensuring the amenity of our city, there has never been a better time to plan for our future transport needs.

“Metlink believes that Sir Rod’s recommended public transport initiatives have the potential to offer customers significantly enhanced services after decades of under investment in infrastructure.

“However these recommendations must be viewed in context with the many initiatives already announced in the State Government’s Meeting Our Transport Challenges (MOTC) plan. The two plans are not mutually exclusive, and reactions to Sir Rod’s investigation must be viewed in part as a response to the dramatic growth in public transport patronage especially on the train network that has occurred since MOTC was prepared.

“The two proposed major train projects will greatly assist in servicing the rapidly expanding suburbs to the west and north-west of Melbourne as well as achieving additional capacity for services travelling through the congested central area.

“We will also participate in community debate in response to the study’s recommendation for a new road tunnel to the immediate north of the CBD. We acknowledge that this recommendation is associated with solving road-based congestion however it must be developed on a basis that integrates substantial public transport improvements in the same areas.

“We look forward to reading the recommendations in more detail and will submit a comprehensive response to the State Government in due course.”