A forum of transport planners and concerns citizens has been told today that rail is the best transit option for Doncaster. The forum, organised by the Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) with Melbourne, Manningham and Yarra councils and the Centre for Governance and Management of Urban Transport (GAMUT) at Melbourne University, attracted nearly 100 participants.

MTF Chair Cr Jackie Fristacky said that speakers provided solid evidence of the benefits of rail over bus. ‘Rail provides capacity, certainty and priority – it attracts patronage and encourages economic development far beyond what buses can achieve,’ she said.

The forum was also told that Manningham is the only municipality in Melbourne without access to rail. Claude Cullino, Director Assets & Engineering, City of Manningham said the lack of public transport created high levels of car ownership and significant financial burdens. He said that the higher rate of car ownership cost households an additional $118 million per year. He said that better access to public transport could have an economic benefit of $600 million per annum to Manningham residents. Continue Reading…