Still waiting for Labor’s major urban public transport study;
Further evidence of Labor’s lack of leadership, vision and failure to plan properly for the future;

On 20 August 2009 Liberal Candidate for Denison, Alderman Elise Archer, first called on the Premier, David Bartlett, and Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges to release to the public the Major Urban Public Transport Study.

Ald Elise Archer said:

“The Premier and the Minister announced in October last year that a new study would be completed by April 2009 to look at potential alternative public transport options for the next 10 years. I, and the Tasmanian Liberals, have been calling for the release of this study for several months now and we have been met with silence.”

Ald Elise Archer says that “I have been contacted by numerous people in the electorate of Denison who want to see what’s in this transport study before the State Election in March 2010. Meanwhile, they continue to be delayed in traffic congestion throughout Hobart, and the Premier and the Minister responsible continue to sit on this report.”

“All options for improved public transport facilities for the greater Hobart area must be considered in the study, including (but not limited to) suburban ferry services, light rail services, and park and ride facilities. The study was to also look at petrol prices, car pooling and other issues related to transport,” Ald Elise Archer says.

“Labor has had 11 years to come up with a plan and there is still nothing in sight. We must plan for the future now and not necessarily restrict travel to our existing transport corridors”.

“We have an under-utilised natural asset in the Derwent River and I will be very interested to see what the Study’s findings are with respect to the use of the river, as well as getting the public to and from potential ferry services, for a fully integrated approach to public transport,” said Ald Elise Archer.

“Traffic congestion on our major suburban transport routes continues with commuters facing delays on a daily basis. The public deserves better than they are currently receiving from the State Labor Government regarding public transport,” Ald Elise Archer said.
Alderman Elise Archer (Hobart City Council) Liberal for Denison