Minister for Public Transport and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan today joined representatives from local government and community organisations to discuss the future of public transport in Bendigo.
The forum is part of the development of the Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP) – Victoria’s first short, medium and long-term plan for better train and coach services across regional Victoria.
The stakeholder forum follows the RNDP community forum held last night, which attracted around 40 locals, who put forward their views on the public transport improvements Bendigo needs.
Feedback received from the community forum and today’s stakeholder forum will feed into the broader consultation program being held as part of developing the RNDP, which includes community and stakeholder forums across regional Victoria.
Forums were also held in Echuca and Castlemaine this week, and will continue across South Western Victoria in the coming weeks in Portland, Warrnambool, Colac, Geelong and Torquay.
The Andrews Labor Government’s RNDP will look at the current state of public transport in regional Victoria and set out priorities for train and coach services, infrastructure and investment over the next 20-30 years.
The RNDP will move Victoria away from ad hoc service improvements, towards a more coordinated regional public transport network where train and bus services work together to get people where they need to go.
The plan will also consider infrastructure upgrades, network extensions and rolling stock, including next-generation regional trains to cater for growing demand.
Anyone who was unable to make it to last night’s community forum can provide feedback online at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“Today’s stakeholder forum will build on last night’s community forum and provide a comprehensive picture of what Bendigo wants from its public transport system.”
“Bendigo Metro is a key part of the future transport mix, but I also want to hear about the other train and coach improvements that Bendigo needs to grow and prosper.”
“This week we have heard from locals in Castlemaine, Echuca and across the Loddon Mallee about the public transport investment, infrastructure and services our regional communities need in the long-term.”
“This feedback will form the basis for Victoria’s first long term strategic plan for regional public transport improvements – the Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Network Development Plan.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020