MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 7th May 2002

Young people welcome transport funding boost

Janet Jukes, Executive Officer of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, welcomed a boost to Victoria’s public transport system which was announced in today's state budget.

‘The additional funding is particularly good news for young people in rural and regional Victoria and in outer-suburban Melbourne. The improvements will go a long way towards reducing isolation’ Ms Jukes said.

The State Government announced a number of public transport initiatives including:

• $36 million to provide 25 new or upgraded bus routes around Melbourne.
• An increase of $8 million to bus services in regional and rural Victoria with 27 new or improved services across the state.
• $31 million to improve Victoria’s free school bus service.
• A conveyance allowance of up to $700 to assist parents with travel costs where the free school is not available.
• $30.5 million to extend Tram Route 75 to Vermont South.
• $90 million to upgrade the Warrnambool-Melbourne rail line.
• $98 million for the electrification of the railway line form Broadmeadows to Craigieburn.
• $55 million to boost the public transport system in the Scoresby Corridor.

‘Young people repeatedly tell us that a key barrier to accessing education, employment and recreational opportunities is the lack of public transport’, said Ms Jukes.

‘The budget announcements show that the State Government has listened to young people and understands the importance of public transport to improving community connection. Improved and extended services will help to reduce inequalities as more young people will be able to access the opportunities available to them. It will also provide a boost for local economies, all of which is good news for Victoria’, Ms Jukes said.

Although the additional funding is welcome, Ms Jukes is disappointed that the issue of cost has not been tackled.

‘The State Government has still not fulfilled an election commitment to reduce the costs of travel for tertiary students by bringing the cost of the tertiary student concession card in line with that of the secondary student concession card. It’s fantastic that transport services will improve but some young people may still be unable to access services because of the high costs involved’, said Ms Jukes.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, is the peak body and leading policy advocate for youth issues in Victoria. We have a membership of around 500 organisations and individuals.

Further media comment
Janet Jukes, Executive Officer 0411 484 428 or
Lise Della Torre, Young Media Spokesperson 0402 822 488