By Tania Martin
JUST weeks after announcing it will endorse the Kyoto Protocol, the Shire of Yarra Ranges has joined a campaign to call on the State Government to take back control of Melbourne’s train and tram network.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn called on her fellow councillors last Tuesday night to endorse the Linkup Melbourne Campaign.
The Linkup Melbourne Campaign is calling on the State Government to take back control of the rail network when the private sector contract runs out in November.
Cr Dunn says the only way to improve public transport is to end privatisation.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the private system has not served the public well,” she said.
“It is now time for Yarra Ranges to join the campaign to make sure the State Government takes control of trams and trains again.”
Cr Dunn called for the council to endorse an open letter urging the Government to end privatisation.
She says that it is important that the Government appoints an accountable public agency to run the train and tram network to give commuters a better more efficient transport system.
“We need to give people more reasons to use public transport to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
Cr Dunn said the Linkup Melbourne campaign goes hand-in-hand with the council’s endorsement of the Kyoto Protocol.
She says if more people catch public transport then it will reduce the use of private cars and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas and carbon emissions.
“If you really look at this long term, we need to make public transport sustainable enough to get people out of their cars and on to public transport.
“We really need to start thinking about a well run transport system now.”
A State Government spokesman said the Government is currently considering its approach to the future of the rail franchises in Melbourne.
He said in doing so, the Government’s guiding principle will be to achieve value for money to provide the best possible service for all Victorians.
