Media Release 9 October 2007

Feds must buy back Brisbane Air Train

The Federal Government should buy back Brisbane’s Air Train and contribute funds to fast-track rail extensions from Petrie to Kippa-Ring, Beerwah to Maroochydore, Robina to Cooloongatta and Springfield to Ipswich.

Community Action for Sustainable Transport (CAST) and a national coalition of public transport users groups are sending a message to all Federal political parties that it’s time for them to get serious about funding urban public transport.

The groups believe it is in the interests of human health, the economy and the environment for the Federal Government to provide major funding for urban public transport projects.

On Tuesday 9 October CAST are leading the Queensland launch of ‘Moving Australians Sustainably: transport policy in the national interest’ (attached), a document prepared by the Victorian Public Transport Users Association which highlights the economic, social and environmental imperatives for the Federal Government to put major funding into urban public transport.

Executive summary http://www.ptua.org.au/federal/moving_summary.html
Full report http://www.ptua.org.au/federal/moving_australians-web.pdf

“A Federal Government that is serious about reducing congestion, greenhouse emissions, obesity and Australia’s growing trade deficit would be funding urban public transport,” said CAST spokesperson Tristan Peach.

“Historically the Feds have spent the vast majority of transport funding on roads, but it is time for them to take a balanced approach to ensure that Australians have access to affordable transport options,” said Mr Peach.