By XAVIER SMERDON
TRAVELLING by car has proven to be the slowest way for Wyndham residents to get into the Melbourne CBD, a unique campaign has revealed.
Wyndham Council hosted the Race to the City last Wednesday and while the results may not shock many residents, the event did highlight the need for more road and public transport infrastructure in the area.
The race saw 15 contestants from three locations in Wyndham using cars, public transport, cycling and even a boat to see who could get to Federation Square first.
The combination of cycling to the nearest train station then taking the train won with a time of 57 minutes while using a car took almost one and a half hours.
Wyndham Mayor Bob Fairclough said the race was a bit of fun but it also highlighted the obstacles faced by people travelling into the CBD every day.
“While contestants enjoyed the race, it’s no picnic for those stuck in their cars, packed onto trains and buses or cycling along unsafe and incomplete infrastructure every weekday,” Cr Fairclough said.
“The fact that car travel in this race took over an hour and a half indicates the risks in travelling from Wyndham to the CBD given the dependence on the West Gate Bridge for the Maribyrnong crossing.
“In Wyndham many people are forced to choose between an unreliable and overcrowded public transport service or a long and stressful car journey.”
Cr Fairclough said the race also highlighted the serious consequences that traffic and transport congestion has for the community.
For those residents playing at home, the boat took one hour and 13 minutes to reach the city.
For more information visit www.getwyndhammoving.com.au
