Wrong Way: Go Back

The recent state government decision to extend clearways in Melbourne’s inner suburbs is completely wrong-headed.  Protests have broken out in Bridge Road, Richmond and Stonnington.

Extended clearways will not reduce road congestion or assist trams or buses or their passengers to get to their destinations more quickly or more safely. 

Clearways will simply attract more cars and while clearway times are in place, cars will just race up beside trams in order to pass them and stop in front of them at traffic lights.

This will hold up trams and getting on and off them will become even more dangerous.

During clearway times, the cars roar by when people are trying to get on and off. There is little that tram drivers can do about it.

Funding for roads outstrip public transport funding by three to one in the recent state budget.

More public transport services during the peaks and more services around the peaks will provide a real solution.  It benefits existing users, it will attract more users and those who still have to drive will suffer less congestion.  There is no reason why Melbourne can’t have an extensive, reliable and convenient public transport system like Vancouver, Amsterdam or Copenhagen, except for a total lack of vision from the government.

Related posts:

1. Government report slams clearways