This evening I was invited by Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia residents to discuss public transport issues in Melbourne’s southeast.

While the meeting was planned to proceed through the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), the committee was unable to provide a speaker, leaving local residents in the lurch. At the request of the then PTUA Southeast branch, I attended the meeting to answer questions and to reinforce the need for outer suburban residents to speak up about the transport woes they are facing.

While it would appear that the PTUA Southeast Branch has been disbanded due to a lack of support from the PTUA, local residents are keen to establish their own organisation to ensure an ongoing presence for public transport advocacy.

Terry Hornbuckle, June Whitton both formerly from the PTUA Southeast Branch must be congratulated for their ongoing efforts and for engaging the local community to ensure a solid attendance at the meeting. Cr. Steve Beardon, a Councillor for the City of Casey, must also be congratulated for providing a meeting venue and for his support in promoting the meeting.

Melbourne’s growth suburbs should be the frontline for public transport advocacy as it is imperative that public transport in new areas is provided at the onset of new development. Failure to deliver such public transport, will only result in a similar situation to Rowville, where transport advocates are on the backfoot calling for investment in established areas, and provide major difficulties in future years.

I look forward to working with residents as they find their voices in the call for public transport advocacy.