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Russel Northe MLA:
Northe Calls upon Committee to Fix Unfair Transport Pricing MessNorth asked corrections to the public transport ticketing system that is unfairly discriminating against Latrobe Valley commuters for years. By Portal Admin - 18th March 2020 - Back to News Member for Morwell Russell Northe has provided a detailed submission to a Victorian Parliament inquiry titled, "Inquiry Into expanding Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone" which will include the consideration of two key points that will be relevant to many Latrobe Valley commuters.
Mr Northe’s submission focused on the following terms of reference points;
- providing free fares for all full time students
- removing fares for all Seniors Card holders
"I was more than happy to provide evidence of what is a long-term, systemic failure of a public transport pricing system that disadvantages seniors and students in our community, Mr Northe said".
"I’ve been calling upon the Government to seriously look at the public transport ticketing system that is unfairly discriminating against Latrobe Valley commuters for years", Mr Northe lamented. "We have some terribly inequitable pricing and public transport quality as compared to other regional centres – and I believe this needs to be fixed".
One example are Latrobe Valley Seniors card holders who pay higher than their counterparts in other areas of the State. "If you’re a Senior living in Melbourne you can travel from Pakenham to Melbourne for free all weekend, but if you’re a Senior living in Moe, you can’t even travel to Traralgon for free on the same weekend".
"Another group that pay more – in fact more than double what other Victorians pay – are student travellers", Mr Northe continued. "If you live in Bendigo your annual student pass will cost you $235 – but if you live in the Latrobe Valley you pay $617 – where is the equity in that?"
"What I can’t understand is, two customer groups that should be encouraged to enjoy public transport are disadvantaged to do so, but only if you live in the Latrobe Valley. I can’t understand the rationale behind this fee or zoning structure".
"I’ve raised this issue in Parliament and with various Ministers over many years, to no avail.
I’m placing hope now in the Committee to rectify this long-standing issue and finally provide fair and equitable fares for Latrobe Valley commuters", Mr Northe concluded.
Details on the committee’s inquiry can be found at: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/eiclc/inquiry/975
Mr Northe’s submission
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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