By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM and Melton residents are guaranteed to benefit from the upcoming State Election with both Labor and the Coalition pledging to abolish Zone 2 public transport, a move that it is claimed will save commuters up to $750 a year.
Premier Denis Napthine announced last week that if he won the November election he would remove Zone 2 and also offer free public transport within the Melbourne CBD.
“For a full-fare commuter who currently buys a Zone 1 + 2 daily fare there will be a saving in the order of approximately $5.00 a day,” Dr Napthine said.
“A commuter who pays for a Zone 1 + 2 ticket each day will save around $1,200 each year, or, if using an annual myki pass, will save more than $750.
“Tram travel within the CBD and Docklands will be free in a move that will enhance Melbourne’s reputation as an international city.”
Dr Napthine said the plan would take effect on 1 January 2015 at a cost of $100 million every year.
Shadow Treasurer and Member for Tarneit, Tim Pallas, said that Labor would match the plan being offered by the Coalition if they were elected.
“No matter who you vote for in November, Melburnians will get cheaper public transport but only Labor will deliver better public transport,” Mr Pallas said.
“We need infrastructure plans that will remove the bottlenecks from the system so that we can run more trains more often.
“Only Labor will remove the 50 most dangerous and congested level crossings, including Werribee Street and Cherry Street. Only Labor will build Melbourne Metro Rail, which would allow for a threefold increase in the number of trains to and from Wyndham in peak hour.”
While Labor has promised to remove level crossings, funded by selling the Port of Melbourne, the Napthine Government is hoping it can win votes with the East West Link.
