Mayoral aspirants battle over transport

Transport has been touted as the number one issue this week as mayoral candidates pick up campaigning with just over two weeks to go.

Cr Gary Singer announced plans this week he would introduce a high speed ferry on the Yarra linking Port Phillip Bay to Federation Square and the Docklands.

Singer said the Yarra is Melbourne’s -œforgotten transport corridor.

-œWe haven’t done anything about using the water as a mode of transport to move around the city … this is a great alternative, he said.

Singer rejected concern the ferries would interfere with other users saying the boats would use -œanti-wake technology to ensure high speed problems wouldn’t occur.

The ferries would carry 150 people and would be owned and operated by a private company.

Singer said part of the tender process would include a measure to keep fares at a reasonable price.

Greens mayoral candidate Adam Bandt hit out at Singer’s plans saying a ferry is not the answer to congestion in the city. He wants to lobby the state government for a 24 hour public transport system.

-œA ferry is window-dressing the issues, there are deeper underlying problems, he said.

-œIt’s not going to help if you live in Caroline Springs or Craigieburn and you want to get home at 3am.

Bandt said Melburnians instead need to make a choice whether they want to -œbe serious about tackling climate change by decongesting the CBD and making other choices in transport.

Tim Wilson, running for deputy mayor alongside Peter McMullin, said his team had looked at the Yarra as an option for transport, however said Melbourne needs a variety of options.

-œWe’re looking at an integrated policy on transport options but water transport is not the silver bullet.
Wilson said there were already suitable transport options for commuters from the Docklands into the CBD.