News

Speeches Public Transport | August 22, 2017

More cuts to public transport in Western Victoria

In Parliament today the Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has asked the Minister for Public Transport to explain how people can travel to areas of the Wimmera following Labor’s disgraceful cuts to public transport connections in the region.

Ms Kealy said she had been approached by a number of constituents about a decision by the Andrews’ Labor Government to cut an existing evening VLine train and bus service from Melbourne to the Wimmera.

“One of these constituents works in Melbourne and Labor’s cut of the only evening service from Melbourne to Warracknabeal means he has no way to get home.

“There has also been a cut to the number of afternoon services leaving Melbourne to Western Victoria, with the timetabling of a train and coach both leaving Melbourne at 12:16 pm.

“It’s just absurd and deceptive that Labor are saying we have more public transport services to Western Victoria when in reality our access to services has been reduced.

“We need investment in public transport services, not cuts, to ensure our country communities thrive.

“The Andrews’ Labor Government’s constant spin is about increasing public transport services but the reality is we have the worst access to public transport in the State.

 “This latest service cut by Labor is just another example of Western Victorian residents being treated like second class citizens by a city-centric government.

 “The Nationals are proud to stand up for Regional Victoria and I assure the people of the Lowan electorate that I will continue to fight for our fair share of funding so our communities have the jobs, investment and services we need to thrive,” she said.