Candidate rails for better transport

Greens candidate for the federal seat of Bendigo, Lachlan Slade, is calling for better transport services and better partnerships between state and federal governments.

Rachel Wattie

Greens candidate for the federal seat of Bendigo, Lachlan Slade, was talking public transport policy in Kyneton on Wednesday, calling for better services and better partnerships between state and federal governments.

Mr Slade said his party fully supports the recommendations of the V/Line Initial Strategic Directions Plan, which include duplicating the lines between Harcourt and Castlemaine, as well as between Taradale and Kyneton, and increasing V/Line carriages.

"It would mean peak services are stopping in Castlemaine half-hourly, and would allow for more consistent services with less delays and clock face scheduling," Mr Slade said.

"We would also like to see more frequent services to Bendigo and Melbourne, with express services that don't get caught up in Melbourne's metro service."

More money should also be invested into bus services, Mr Slade said.

"The ability for people to get out, socialise and improve their mental health means greater health outcomes for the community as well," he said.

There is not enough shared transport services linking the Macedon Ranges' five major centres - Kyneton, Woodend, Gisborne, Lancefield and Romsey, Mr Slade said.

"We need to see that change.

"Woodend does not have access to bus services, meaning that many elderly, low income and differently abled people in the area cannot get around as best they could.

"Kyneton needs a more frequent and longer running service than what we have already, some areas are getting as little as three services a day with no services at all four days a week. It's time our public transport system reflected the mobility needs of the township.

"Many transport initiatives are funded by Federal and State government and the Greens are keen to work across governments to make a better public transport system for the Macedon Ranges."

Residents agree that the V/Line rail service is "unreliable", "grim" and "frustrating".

Regular train commuter, Malmsbury resident Ruth Reid-Hobbs, said there is a malfunction or some sort of problem at least once a week, as well as a lack of seating when it's busy.

Melbourne barrister, Duncan Robertson, says the service could use a few more trains.

"They seem to be (running) at odd times," Mr Robertson said.