Article: Public transport should be priority - Greens

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Public transport should be priority - Greens

Public transport should be priority - Greens

    * From: AAP
    * July 24, 2010 11:25AM

PUBLIC transport should be a federal government priority with a focus on congested areas such as western Sydney, Greens Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon says.

The election is just four weeks away, August 21, and the former NSW upper house member is pushing for a policy focus away from roads infrastructure.

"The Federal Government cannot stick its head in the sand on public transport," Ms Rhiannon said in a statement today.

"Australia is the only OECD country in which the Federal Government does not have a formal role in funding and supporting public transport."

Ms Rhiannon also wants a greater focus on commercial rail, minimising the number of freight trucks that congest western Sydney roadways.

"The Greens plan includes ending the subsidisation of B-double trucks, which has distorted road-rail competition," she said.

"We also need increased federal investment in the publicly-owned Australian Rail Track Corporation to create local jobs in improving rail freight infrastructure."

Ms Rhiannon cited a number of negatives from increased traffic.

"The Government's failure to strike a balance between road and rail in western Sydney has resulted in more cars and trucks on the roads, peak hour traffic chaos, increased travel time and worsening air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions," she said.

A Senate inquiry found that in the 30 years to 2004 the Federal Government spent $58 billon on roads, $2.2 billion on rail and only $1.5 billion on public transport, Ms Rhiannon said.

[#Metro]

I'm surprised that there isn't a PT administration. The US has one, should Australia get one?

[frereOP]

The Green's have as official policy committment to building an HST from Canberra to Sydney based on research data, cost analysis and feasibility information presented in High Speed Rail: Strategic Information for the Australian Context published by the CRC for Rail Innovation.

[Mozz]

A Senate inquiry found that in the 30 years to 2004 the Federal Government spent $58 billon on roads, $2.2 billion on rail and only $1.5 billion on public transport, Ms Rhiannon said.

WOW ..... and probably the reason why there isn't a PT administration ....

[Jonno]

Add to it the 18 billion per year in road trauma cost then it becomes a scandal.

[#Metro]

A PT administration not only would be a one stop shop to get information, do research and collect statistics but also assess needs and funding. The creation of an institution will entrench its position and importance. The reason PT expenditure is so low is because we don't have one, not the other way around.