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All too often major hubs in the local community, such as local shopping centres, are poorly serviced by public transport options such as, in particular, nearby train services.

Metropolitan areas are growing at an unprecedented rate and with this comes the need for high density living to address the high demand for housing and the acute shortage of land in the city and surrounds.

More than 4000 heavy trucks travel the Hume Highway every day between Melbourne and Sydney. Some are B-doubles – a prime mover with two semi-trailers attached (up to 68 tonnes in weight and 25 metres length). Most of Australia’s domestic freight is delivered by road, hence road transport is a fundamental part of the Australian economy.

Taxis are an integral part of the Victorian public transport network. Taxis are a vital part of the “first and last mile” of many journeys and they form part of Victoria’s essential service network.

We recognise that transport affects all parts of society. We are concerned for the welfare of all participants in the transport industries – whether they work within the industry or travel on public transport.

We all have the responsibility to look after our environment. Public Transport, our roads and the way we use them have a great impact on our environment;

In the past decade, only 13 per cent of all Australia’s spending on new roads, rail and other transport infrastructure was in Victoria. Yet 36 per cent of Australia’s population growth is now taking place in Victoria.

Victoria needs to add 60,000 new homes to its landscape each year for more than a decade to house a swelling population. For all those new developments planned to cater for this growing need, public transport options should be carefully considered.

Currently the system is overcrowded, unreliable and doesn’t meet the public’s expectations. The heavy rail system is an integral part of Victoria’s transportation mix; with the system carrying over 230 million passengers last financial year alone.

Road congestion in Melbourne is at a crisis point. This crisis has been caused by a lack of investment, planning, foresight and political willpower over a number of decades.

Public transport is vital to keep Victoria “on the move”. An effective and efficient public transport network, ensures the reduction of congestion on our roads. Public transport also helps lessen our carbon footprint by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

During the financial year 2016-2017, the metropolitan bus services carried 118.0 million passengers. The bus networks offer route flexibility where heavy rail and tram networks are not viable. Bus networks help to ease congestion on Victoria’s roads.