State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu speaks with Yarra Ranges residents at a bus stop on Monbulk Road, Silvan.
By Russell Bennett
STATE Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu will fund bus shelters to protect Yarra Ranges commuters if successful in the November polls.
But the State Government said Mr Baillieu’s announcement in Silvan yesterday was an attempt to “hoodwink” voters.
Mr Baillieu said commuters deserved better protection when waiting for a bus.
“There’s no doubt public transport in this region is a primary concern for the community,” he said.
“Here we are on Monbulk Road and so many of the bus stops are unsheltered and unprotected.”
He committed $200,000 to upgrade 10 bus shelters in Monbulk and surrounding areas.
Spokesman for Mr Baillieu, Simon Troeth, said each shelter would cost between $17,000 and $20,000 to upgrade. That money would mainly go towards adequate seating and solar-powered lighting.
However, a State Government spokesman said, “the lazy Liberal Party remains a policy free-zone on public transport – made clear by their failed publicity stunt on bus shelters”.
“Ted Baillieu has attempted to hoodwink residents in the Yarra Ranges but, in fact, he has only committed to continuing current contracts the Brumby Labor Government has with Adshel,” he said.
“Since 2007, we have installed 31 new bus shelters in the Yarra Ranges, and we will continue our program of bus shelter upgrades – which will include approximately 10 new shelters for the Yarra Ranges in the coming year.”
Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox welcomed the Coalition’s funding promise.
“We have been lobbying for improvements to public transport, including better and more accessible bus shelters, for some time,” he said.
“We look forward to the other major parties also following the Coalition’s lead by committing much-needed funding to improve local public transport.”
Monbulk Liberal candidate Matt Mills said the shelters would protect commuters from the weather, make it safer to travel and enable bus drivers to locate bus stops at night more easily.
“Locals tell me that they want money spent on transport basics rather than seeing more taxpayers’ money wasted by an arrogant and tired Labor Government,” he said.
