Rail fares reduced

By Ed Merrison
PASSENGERS in the eastern suburbs have a ticket to cheaper transport after the major parties vowed to scrap Zone 3.
An Opposition pledge to abolish a “grossly unfair” system was followed about four hours later with the news the Bracks Government would also do away with the zone.
The change will mean passengers from areas such as Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Tecoma, Belgrave, Lilydale and Healesville will pay Zone 2 prices.
An adult day ticket to the city from Belgrave or Lilydale will cost $9.70 instead of the $12.60 Zone 3 fare, which does not exist in the western or northern suburbs.
Labor’s five-year, $94.1 million Fare Go Package announced last Thursday would also reduce the cost of all V/Line train and bus tickets by an average of 20 per cent.
Premier Steve Bracks said the package would provide an incentive to use public transport.
“Cheaper public transport fares respond to the challenge of increasing petrol prices and traffic congestion,” he said.
“That’s why we will cut the travel costs of people who typically travel the furthest – those who live in Melbourne’s outer suburbs and in regional Victoria.”
The Liberal plan came five days after Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu announced a $285 million initiative to make public transport free for children and full-time students.
Gembrook Liberal candidate Simon Wildes denied Mr Bracks had stolen the Opposition’s thunder on the issue of transport.
“It’s good to see they follow us,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic initiative and certainly a key one for the outer east.”
Mr Wildes, who will push to get the extended Zone 2 to include the Upper Yarra east of Woori Yallock, said he was pleased people would benefit regardless of which party won the election.
Knox mayor David Cooper and Shire of Yarra Ranges chief executive Rob Hauser also welcomed a more equitable system but the Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) was more measured in its praise. Knox councillor Mick Van de Vreede, spokesman for the coalition of seven councils including Knox and Yarra Ranges, said the scheme was only part of what was needed.
Cr Van de Vreede said passengers required better buses, more rail and better coordination of services to keep up with increased demand.
“I would hate to see a flood of people queue up to use the system only to find inadequate services on offer,” he said.