The Nationals Member for Morwell, Russell Northe, has again highlighted Gippsland’s ongoing V/Line crisis in Parliament today.
But instead of focusing on the difficulties still being faced by regional V/Line users, Premier Daniel Andrews and Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan chose to use Parliament to promote an $11 billion Metro Rail Project in Melbourne.
Mr Northe said it spoke volumes about the city-centric Andrews Labor Government.
“The fact that Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan were promoting a billion-dollar rail project in Melbourne today will be a slap in the face to Gippsland commuters who can’t even get accurate information about replacement buses – let alone catch a train,” Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe caught a replacement bus between Morwell and Melbourne last week and gained a first-hand experience of the frustration felt by local commuters.
“If things aren’t bad enough at the moment, there has been a real lack of accurate information provided to commuters by the Andrews Labor Government,” Mr Northe told Parliament.
“Information on the V/Line website is not clear as to where the bus is stopping and expected arrival times – and commuters are being asked to allow up to 60 minutes extra travel time on the coach.”
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath said the rail crisis was leaving commuters tired and confused.
“VLine staff are doing their very best in trying circumstances and like Gippsland commuters they are being let down by a lack of interest from the Andrews Government.
“The current timing of coach replacement travel times is unreliable and Gippsland commuters deserve more certainty during a time that is already causing a major inconvenience to their daily lives.
“Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan must fix this whole V/Line mess and in the interim make sure commuters are provided with clear and concise information.”
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