The Outer East Branch of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) met tonight for its first meeting in 2006.

Items discussed included the upcoming Transport and Liveability Statement. In the words of Steve Bracks this much anticipated statement “would address an imbalance between road and public transport” (Leader Newspapers, Tuesday 14th of February 2006) and as such the PTUA expects a firm commitment towards rail extensions and the establishment of service standards for Melbourne’s bus network.

The PTUA Outer East Branch will be focusing on improving the frequency, span and coverage Melbourne’s bus services to ensure that the upcoming Transport and Liveability provides an immediate funding boost for the two-thirds of Melbourne that lacks readily available public transport.

The campaign to extend the route 48 tram to Doncaster along Doncaster Road will also continue to ensure that Doncaster for the first time in recent history will finally have the reliability and frequency provided by the fixed rail network. This tram extension would require no additional rolling stock and would allow for the bus network in Manningham to be redeveloped into an efficient transport mode.

The issue of NightRider services was also discussed and the PTUA will seek the expansion of these services into the growing areas of Berwick and Pakenham. The NightRider provides public transport after midnight and is crucial for areas that have young families.