The Federal Government has been urged to stick to its election commitment of $6 million to fund a business case for trackless trams to Rowville in Victoria.
Member for Eastern Metropolitan and Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton said the $1.45 billion Trackless Rapid Transit (TRT) proposal would connect Caulfield station, Chadstone, Monash Clayton, and Rowville, improving access to jobs and services as well as slashing billions from the cost of a heavy rail transport link between Caulfield and Rowville.
“These high-capacity electric TRT vehicles could be up and running on route within three years. Trackless trams are cheaper, more flexible, and faster to construct than heavy rail,” he said.
“These trackless trams could carry up to 1800 passengers per hour in each direction, delivering travel times of 20 minutes between Caulfield and Monash Clayton and 11 minutes between Monash Clayton and Rowville.
“With a rapidly growing population and worsening traffic congestion on the Monash Freeway and Princes Highway, this project is essential.”
Barton said the project had the support of the Eastern Transport Coalition, Monash University, and Vicinity Centres.
“The state and Federal governments have both expressed their support, but nothing has been done,” he said.
“It is so critical that we improve mobility in the South-East economic corridor. Travel times may be bearable now, but we know that congestion will almost double by 2030. We must prepare for the future.”
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