Article: Transport confidence plunges since poll

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Transport confidence plunges since poll

Transport confidence plunges since poll

   Ashley Gardiner
   From: Herald Sun
   June 23, 2011 12:00AM

CONFIDENCE in public transport has plunged since the election of the Baillieu Government.

The quarterly national transport survey by the University of Sydney found 34 per cent of respondents reported a decline in confidence in the past year.

Those surveyed are more pessimistic, with 30 per cent thinking it will get worse over the next year.

The findings of the survey, conducted during May, represent a significant drop in confidence compared to previous studies.

Victorians were the biggest supporters of public transport in the nation, with 64 per cent believing it should have a higher priority than roads.

Professor David Hensher said the drop in confidence reflected concerns about projects like Regional Rail Link and the Footscray to Caulfield rail tunnel.

"The Victorian result shows how difficult it can be for new governments to meet community expectations for improvements in transport," Prof Hensher said.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the Government had made a number of promises, including planning for new rail lines and better rail maintenance.

"We didn't say that we could fix the problems immediately," Mr Mulder said.

"What we said is that we would work on the problems, and address them as we go forward."