CHRONIC under-investment in public transport means that so many people in the western suburbs have no choice but to drive a car everyday in traffic congestion – there is no real alternative. The cost of running a car-rising petrol prices, service and repairs, parking, insurance, tolls-is already hurting families, and Mr Eddington is proposing to put a congestion tax on top of this! There must be a real alternative to the car in efficient, reliable public transport. Only then can we talk about a congestion tax. We should be investing in public transport to get Melbourne moving. It works around the world, it can work here.
Colleen Hartland Greens MP, Western Metropolitan Region
