The Maroondah Leader has reported on the Victorian Liberal Party’s plan to provide free public transport for children and students.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman, Maroondah councillor Alex Makin, welcomed the free public transport plan, but questioned how it would increase service levels.

“To drastically improve public transport patronage there must be an increased level of service, particularly in the eastern region,” Cr Makin said. “People cannot use public transport if it’s not available.”

While the plan has some merit in encouraging a culture of public transport usage (similar to how Walking School Bus provides a culture of encouraging walking) it is imperative that service levels are improved to ensure more frequent, readily available and efficient public transport services.