Dandenong North resident Lorinda Barin will no longer need her husband to pick her up from work to save money catching public transport once zone three is abolished by either a Liberal or Labor government next financial year.By Shaun Inguanzo
THE State Government reasons for not removing the public transport zone three fare earlier are ‘unfounded’, according to a transport lobbyist.
The third transport zone – which includes Greater Dandenong – will be removed from next year under either a Liberal or Labor government, with both parties promising to scrap zone three last week.
The Liberal Party’s announcement last week tied in with its 2002 election promise to scrap zone three.
But Labor’s promise – just hours after the Liberals’ announcement – is the first time the ALP has indicated removing the zone.
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor in 2002 said the network could not cope with extra patrons brought about by cheaper ticket prices.
Last week it was a different tune, with the Government outlining the cost savings for residents in Melbourne’s outer-most suburbs.
“Our plan would cut the cost of a full fare daily ticket from zone three to the city from $12.60 to $9.70,” Premier Steve Bracks said.
“Weekly full-fare tickets from zone three to the city will fall from $52.20 to $45.20, monthly tickets will fall from $186.80 to $152.60, and yearly tickets will fall from $1999 to $1633.”
Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) spokesman for the outer-east Alex Makin said the change in attitude by the Bracks Government proved its 2002 excuses were unfounded.
“The State Government has definitely jumped on the bandwagon,” Mr Makin said.
“As late as two weeks ago the removal of zone three was not feasible.
“Four years ago they said the removal of zone three fares would overburden the system due to so-called capacity constraints.”
But a spokeswoman for the State Government described the PTUA’s response as ‘typical’.
Referring to the transport strategy the Government announced early this year, the spokeswoman said the ALP was “now in a position to reduce fares because it has a fully funded, long-term plan to address capacity constraints on the rail network”.
Mr Makin said both parties’ promise to remove the fare was a victory for public transport users.
“From the PTUA’s perspective we are seeing the first election where public transport has become a serious mainstream issue,” he said. “We are now seeing one of the most gross inequities in the state’s public transport system being addressed – that is the removal of the zone three tax slugged on suburban and outer eastern residents.”
