Friday, 30 January 2009

South Eastern Metropolitan MP Gordon Rich-Phillips has expressed outrage at the Brumby Governments response to the failing train network.

“At least 89 trains on the Pakenham line have been cancelled in the last three days to mid-afternoon today,” said Mr Rich-Phillips.

“New figures show that under the Brumby government more than 6500 train services were cancelled in Melbourne last year with the Pakenham line among the worst hit. If January is anything to go by 2009 will not be a good year for public transport commuters.”

“As of midday today 100 trains have already been cancelled across Melbourne with dozens more sure to follow.”

“Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky has applied the fare-free order but who wants a free ride on a train to nowhere?”

“Those truly suffering are the faithful day-to-day commuters who depend on public transport to get to work and often have a weekly or monthly pass and therefore won’t see any benefit from Ms Kosky’s cynical and poorly thought out attempt to bribe commuters.”

“Just under 1,100 train services have been cancelled so far this month with tomorrow likely to finish the month off with 1,300 hundred cancellations”

“The train system in Perth has continued to operate under equally hot conditions without collapsing. Meanwhile, Labor has had ten years in government and still can’t get the system to function let alone improve it. There are no excuses for this.”

“Last week angry commuters were offered ice-cream when they were stranded on train platforms in the sweltering heat, this week its a free ride for those who have already paid for weekly or monthly tickets. It will be interesting to see what kind of contemptible bribe is offered next week.”

“In these difficult economic times the last thing Victorians need to be faced with is a deteriorating transport system” Mr Rich-Phillips said.