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Co-ordination key – letter to the editor

MELISSA Fyfe (”It’s time to help commuters make their connection”, 3/10) points out the basic weakness afflicting Melbourne public transport: the lack of an independent, publicly accountable authority to co-ordinate trains, trams and buses.

Groups as diverse as the Greens, privatisation experts and former train and tram operators support a lean, expert body to plan a public transport network for Melbourne. The benefits have been demonstrated in cities from Perth to London.

How long will it take for the Labor or Liberal parties to get on board, so that Melbourne finally gets the chance to experience public transport that works?

TONY MORTON, secretary,
Public Transport Users Association
Published in the Sunday Age, 10/10/2010