Greens announce new train station on Lilydale line

The Victorian Greens have announced plans to build a new train station on the Lilydale line, along with the construction of the second track between Mooroolbark and Lilydale stations.

Photo: Tania Giles, Samantha Dunn & Damian Magner at
the site of the proposed new railway station

Speaking at the site near the intersection of Hull and Mooroolbark Roads, Tania Giles - Greens candidate for Evelyn District, outlined the benefits of a new station at the location.

“The distance between Mooroolbark and Lilydale stations is nearly 5 kilometres. A new station located half way between, near the intersection of Hull and Mooroolbark Roads, would service residential areas to the north-west and east of this location, including Mt Evelyn,” Ms Giles said.

The Greens commitment to the new station and track duplication is part of their ‘Public Transport Plan for Melbourne’s East’, which was launched in October by Damian Magner, Greens Upper House candidate for the Eastern Metropolitan Region.

“Over 1 million people live in Melbourne’s middle to outer eastern suburbs, yet the level of investment for public transport by successive governments has been lacking in recent decades,” Mr Magner said.

The proposed station site is located on the boundary of the Kilsyth and Evelyn electorates. Justin-Paul Sammons - Greens candidate for Kilsyth District, said, “Building a new station and providing the long awaited second track will make it easier and more convenient for people to use public transport and help to prevent hold ups caused by the single track sections of the line.”

Samantha Dunn, Greens Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria Region, said “Improvements to the Lilydale line will give people in Melbourne’s outer east far better travel options beyond the private car. We see an over reliance on cars out here, it’s about time people had a public transport system that takes you where you want to go when you want to go.”

The estimated cost for the new train station and track duplication is $54 million. See the Greens plan at: www.vic.greens.org.au/easternPTplan


For further information contact:
Tania Giles 0408 364 066 or tania.giles@vic.greens.org.au
Samantha Dunn 0429 29 29 04 or samantha.dunn@vic.greens.org.au

samantha in the press - public transport

Steam over station
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
9 November 2010

samantha in the press - public transport

Steam over station
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
9 Nov 2010

Greens push for Federal role in transport planning

Federal Greens MPs have joined with their Victorian counterparts to announce new transport policies that would bring sustainability, coherence and long-term planning to State Government’s transport priorities.

Greens Senators Christine Milne and Scott Ludlam, Federal MP Adam Bandt, and Victorian MLC Greg Barber joined with Greens Richmond candidate Kathleen Maltzahn at the intersection of Hoddle Street and the Eastern Freeway, today.

The Greens’ Federated Transport Plan uses the power of Federal Government funding to enforce better transport planning and implementation at a State level and includes:

• Making long-range city and State-wide strategic transport sustainability plans a condition of transport funding, and requiring Infrastructure Australia to set benchmarks and audit the plans;
  
  
• In conjunction with the States and Territories, the establishment of a national transport research centre.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said "Getting people moving around cities like Melbourne faster, more conveniently, more sustainably and more cheaply is a challenge which needs to see the Federal and State governments working together.

"Only with proper coordinated planning can we get a truly sustainable solution that will work for people and the planet."

Australian Greens Senator, Scott Ludlam, said “These are important policy changes that have been backed by a Senate inquiry.

“The States and Territories have given political support to long term planning as part of a COAG process but we want to see the Federal Government get the ball rolling.”

Greens Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, said “With more Greens elected in Victoria we will be able to do more to get good, cooperative policies like these operating across the State and Federal levels of government.”

Greens Richmond candidate, Kathleen Maltzahn, said “Infrastructure Australia is already signalling that its strong preference is to fund public transport. With these measures, the signals will only get stronger. Despite this, the Labor State Government continues to submit bids for massive road tunnels.”

"With the Greens’ Public Transport Authority, Victoria will have a strong advocate to seek Federal funding for Victoria’s long-term public transport needs.”


Further information: Samantha Dunn 0429 29 29 04 or samantha.dunn@vic.greens.org.au

samantha in the press - public transport

Ticket to ride
Upper Yarra and Mountain Views Mail
by Kath Gannaway
26 Oct 2010

a public transport plan for the east

I joined with Greg Barber MLC, Greens spokesperson for Public Transport, and Damian Magner, Greens candidate for Eastern Metropolitan to launch the Greens Public Transport Plan for the East of Melbourne at a mock station in Doncaster.

Pictured left to right: Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Greg Barber MLC - Greens spokesperson for Public Transport and Damian Magner - Greens candidate for Eastern Metropolitan. It's a disgrace that commuters in the outer east have to wait 30 minutes for train services and up to an hour for connecting bus services, The Greens are committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accesible public transport.

It was a fitting place for the launch, at the old council offices, built in 1892, sited there as it would be right on the railway line, the people of Doncaster have been waiting for their railway line ever since.

Initiatives in the plan that specifically cover Eastern Victoria include:
>Duplication of the single track sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave Lines (the Belgrave line will be limited to Upper Ferntree Gully due to significant topograhical constraints and environmental impacts)
>Triplication of the Box Hill to Ringwood line - this will allow more express services to Lilydale and Belgrave
>A new train station at Hull & Mooroolbark Rds on the Lilydale line
>Implementation of all of the recommendations of the Bus Service Review
>Ensuring all vehicles and stations are fully accessible to all
>Establishing a Public Transport Authority to plan, manage and integrate all public transport services across Victoria

If you'd like to know more about the Greens Public Transport Plan for the East, click here.

Public transport neglect

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
20 October 2010



















“It is scandalous that commuters in the East have to wait 30 to 40 minutes in the off peak time for a train and in some cases over an hour for a connecting bus service, this shambolic service has enormous impact on the quality of life for residents in the outer east, “said Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, at the Eastern Transport Coalition Public Transport Forum held in Mooroolbark.

“It is the Greens who are strongly committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accessible public transport for the East. It’s important that duplication to single track sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines are completed and that rail crossings are removed as they impact on the smooth running of frequent rail services,” Samantha said.

“The Greens support raising basic minimum standards for frequency and span of hours for all bus routes, not just those close to the city.”

“We see considerable inequities in public transport ticketing with the Country Fare along the Upper Yarra corridor, the Greens believe in fair and equitable access to public transport and will work to abolish this inequity for these communities.”

“Public transport should be integrated, buses should meet trains, even simple things like header boards at Belgrave and Lilydale station so the bus drivers know which train is arriving. It’s difficult for them to tell with train delays which train is actually arriving and which passengers they’re supposed to be connecting with.”

“The Greens do have a well considered plan for the people of the East, we know that it is important to get our public transport system working well to respond to the challenges of an aging population, peak oil and climate change. We aren’t wedded to the fossil fuel lobby, cars and freeways as a solution.”

greens commit to ringwood station upgrade

It was terrific to hear Greens candidates commit to the upgrade of the Ringwood Station at a public transport candidate forum this week.

Ringwood Station is well overdue for an upgrade, it's ramps don't comply with DDA requirements making it near impossible for people with a disability to negotiate the station with dignity.

Pictured left to right: Damian Magner - Greens Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan, Samantha Dunn - Greens Candidate for Eastern Victoria, Cr Alex Makin - Mayor, City of Maroondah and Margaret Stephens - long time community advocate for accessible public transport with the missing piece of the public transport jigsaw in Ringwood.


The functionality and accessibility of Ringwood station plays a key role in enhancing travel along the Lilydale and Belgrave lines as it is a key interchange station between to two lines

The Greens are committed to a fast, frequent and well connected public transport system. Accessible, safe and fully staffed railway stations play a key role in that.

Upon hearing the announcement, Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin said, "I am absolutely delighted The Greens have pledged their support to transform Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated public transport hub."

samantha in the press - public transport

Has Brumby short-changed commuters on the Lilydale line?
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
15 Sep 10

samantha in the press – public transport

Party plans for better train links

Leader Newspapers

by Kimberley Seedy

8 Sep 2010

Click on image for story

buses and trains should meet

The Greens will establish a task force to coordinate bus timetables with trains and trams.

A recent study by the Public Transport Users Association shows the average wait between train and bus connections is between 11 and 20 minutes, however in the outer areas of Melbourne commuters know it can be as long as 60 minutes.

One of the easiest ways to speed up travel times is to tackle the disconnect between buses and trains, this would also relieve pressure on suburban railway car parking which is becoming a big problem across the region.

At the moment nobody has the job to coordinate between the trains and buses and there's no solution in sight. The Greens would establish a task force with access to the right tools and international expertise.

Long waits at stations make people feel unsafe and parents are also concerned about their teenagers waiting around for bus/train connections for long periods of time. Under the Greens plan the bus driver would be waiting for commuters as they get off the train.

At the coming state election, The Greens will seek a mandate to fix public transport, across Melbourne and across Victoria. We will create a powerful and accountable Public Transport Authority to plan, manage and integrate all public transport services across Victoria, it is long overdue.

in the press - public transport

Bus fares in Upper Yarra not fair: Cr Dunn
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
19 May 10

failing us on public transport

The State budget is a kick in the teeth to commuters on the fringe of Melbourne.

For all the bells and whistles we hear about the Victorian Transport Plan we see a failure of the state government to deliver the promised additional trains to our public transport network.

Samantha Dunn, Greens Candidate for Eastern Victoria said "we have a budget predicting a 4% increase in passengers but we’re only getting 2.5% more train services and that’s if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with a train line. We all know if it’s not in the budget then there’s no real commitment."

The Greens would put our trains back in public hands so the system can be planned and run efficiently. The Greens are committed to creating a service that runs 24 hours, so that the people of Victoria will never have to wait longer than 10 minutes to get where they need to go in peak times.

"It’s even grimmer news for those communities who are reliant on bus services, there’s nothing in this budget for you", said Samantha.

The bus service review outcomes have been at best moderate and are not providing frequent and reliable services to communities across Melbourne’s interface. Lack of access to good bus services leads to social isolation and impacts on a community’s health and wellbeing.

The Greens recognise the problems with our bus network and are proposing to upgrade 448 km of bus routes to high frequency. These buses would run every 10 minutes from 6am to Midnight and every 20 minutes from Midnight to 6am, seven days a week. They would provide an additional 30.2 million km of bus service each year connecting train stations and Activity Centres.

"People on the fringe are so reliant on their motor vehicles and this has big consequences for the family budget. A frequent bus service will encourage communities on the interface to take up buses as a transport option, reduce traffic congestion and stop the over reliance on motor cars."

in the press - public transport

Budget ignores transport woes
Leader Newspapers
by Alex Munro
7 May 10

in the press - public transport

Council hopes Ringwood station cash in on track
Maroondah Leader
by Shaun Campbell
28 Apr 10

in the press - public transport

Route to bus boost
Mail Newspaper
By Tania Martin
13th Apr 10

in the press - public transport

Still waiting for results of Yarra Ranges bus review
Free Press Leader
by Bryan Allchin
07 Apr 10

in the press - public transport

Commuters Say Ringwood Railway Station Hard to Access and Dirty
Maroondah Leader
by Shaun Campbell
16 Mar 2010

in the press - public transport

Disgust at 'lewd' taxi driver
Lilydale Leader
by Emily Webb
15 Mar 2010

in the press - public transport

Will the new Public Transport Minister and Parliamentary Secretary help Manningham?
Manningham Leader
by Bryan Allchin
28 Jan 10