Shafted

In an environment where current increases in car traffic are unsustainable both environmentally and physically, why would anyone contemplate more big ticket road projects which will simply postpone the inevitable? We need to bite the bullet sooner rather than later and this is the time to finally say enough is enough.

They call the Monash freeway a car park. That is the fate of all freeways and tollways as the population of Melbourne’s outer suburbs explodes and nothing is done to provide adequate public transport.

There is only a problem during peak hour

The only time there’s a significant problem with traffic volumes is during peak hour.

That is where the focus should be. People need to stop using their cars to travel to work – in particular into central Melbourne from the outer suburbs.

The Report, in pushing its line for the construction of further road tunnels, hides the fact that the problem of traffic volume is restricted to peak hour. All the modelling is based on daily figures, though I did find one chart (on page 127) which proves the point that the so called traffic congestion crisis is limited to peak hour. Apart from the spike between 7.00 and 9.00am it is clear sailing.

Solution to peak hour congestion

One way to entice peak hour car users off the roads is to construct multistorey car parks at the outer suburban railway stations with exciting retail and entertainment facilities for commuters. This must be backed up by a realistic number of trains so peak hour travellers can comfortably use their hand-held devices for emails and other work related activities, effectively turning the train into a mobile office. With the commuting time added onto work hours, using public transport will improve flexibility and positively contribute to the work/life balance.

A further enticement would be if trains and trams were mobile wi-fi hotspots.

Public transport needs to be made safe and those areas without it must be serviced. Europeans have far fewer cars because they are serviced by real public transport.

Melbourne Airport rail link

“In 2006-07, Melbourne Airport recorded around 22 million passenger movements and 180,000 aircraft movements, making it Australia’s second busiest airport after Sydney.”

A rail link to Melbourne Airport is essential. Not only will that mean a significant decrease in road traffic, but it will also free up taxis and probably a number of bus services from the lengthy, pollution-high airport run.

If the State Government has to pay a penalty to City Link for constructing a railway to the airport, it’s a small (if weird) price to pay.

Carbon emissions trading

Any new major polluter like a road tunnel should be compelled to sign up for its own share of carbon credits. It is, after all, specifically designed to facilitate an increase in emissions and with monitoring devices at the entrances and exits as well as on the smoke stacks, a precise pollution figure would be easy to obtain. Add that to the toll.

Conclusion

The State Government represents us. It should be leading us away from motor car dependence, not encouraging it. The real “missing link” in Melbourne’s transport network isn’t another piece of road, it is a safe and timely public transport system.