Meeting our Transport Challenges

The future direction of transport in Victoria

The State Government’s Meeting our Transport Challenges Statement released on 17 May 2006 sets out 10 key ‘actions’ that form the focus of the future direction of transport in Victoria.

1. Delivering for the future – The Government has stated that it will inject $10.5 billion into the State’s transport network over the next 10 years. This is in addition to the $1.7 billion in capital expenditure already committed over the next four years. A $5.9 billion “Meeting Our Transport Challenges Reserve” has been established to assist future governments to continue financing major transport infrastructure projects over the coming decade.
2. SmartBus expansion – The Government will invest $1.4 billion to create a cross-town transport network for Melbourne. Major new SmartBus routes, supported by improved local bus services will connect with the rail network to create a grid of radial, arterial and orbital routes within and between suburbs and across the city.
3. Rail network – The Government will provide $2 million to substantially boost the capacity of Melbourne’s rail network. The investment will improve peak period services, reduce rail congestion and overcrowding, and will include the construction of additional tracks on sections of the Dandenong and Sydenham rail lines.
4. Metropolitan trains and trams – $1.8 billion will be invested to deliver major improvements to Melbourne’s train and tram services, including new trains and trams, additional late night services and a new high-tech train control centre.
5. Provincial Victoria – $510 million will be invested to deliver first class public transport for provincial Victoria, including better regional bus and taxi services, and more night and weekend services in major regional centres.
6. Building better road connections – $2 billion has been allocated to upgrade Victoria’s arterial road network, including construction of the Western Highway—Deer Park Bypass, upgrading regional arterial roads, and a new program of road projects across Melbourne’s growing outer suburbs.
7. Monash-West Gate corridor – $740 million has been directed toward boosting capacity and reducing congestion on the Monash West Gate corridor, making east west travel across the city faster and more reliable..
8. Smarter, healthier travel choices – The Government will dedicate $135 million to promote greater use of public transport and to encourage people to walk and cycle on shorter local trips.
9. Connected communities – $710 million over 10 years is committed to a range of projects to promote better urban planning, improve access to Victoria’s transport network, create better community connections and encourage more Victorian’s to walk and cycle to their destinations. A new program aimed at making public transport more accessible for people with restricted mobility has also been introduced.
10. Building a safer, more secure network – The Government will continue to give rail and road safety and security the highest priority by investing $1.1 billion over 10 years in new projects to improve safety across Victoria’s transport network, with an emphasis on reducing the road toll

For more information, contact VECCI Research Officer, Economics and Industry Policy, Chris Carpenter on email ccarpenter@vecci.org or via phone on 03 8662 5227.

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