IS THE CRUSH REALLY OVER?
■ Perhaps Transport Minister Terry Mulder should catch the 572 bus from Doreen to South Morang station before making statements about the end of overcrowding on public transport for the northern suburbs.
That bus gets so overcrowded in the morning that often the driver can’t pick up all passengers who want to use it. I’ve seen schoolkids jammed in doors and have had to yell at drivers because it is so bad.
The bus is the only option for a lot of people because, as has been pointed out, the lack of parking is the real issue for South Morang station. Maybe run separate buses for Doreen and Mernda instead of one meandering bus run that takes 40 minutes to get from Doreen to South Morang station!
Or, as Mr Mulder claims, if there’s all this extra capacity on the line why doesn’t the government build the much-demanded extension to Mernda. The rail reservation is there and waiting.
But why do that when you can build a massively expensive toll road at taxpayer expense to service the interests of big business and force people to remain car-dependant for eternity?
SCOTT PHILLIPS VIA WEB
DRAB HOUSES
■ The number of units being built in Thomastown and Lalor is staggering. But I hoped that 2014 would see a change in colours from the depressing brown bricks, with either grey or dirty cream as a contrast. But it seems not. While many are bought by investors, I hoped that those buying as occupants would be requesting a change from the drab and depressing. Does anyone else feel the same?
MARGARET MAVITY THOMASTOWN
ROADWORTHY CHECKS
■ Premier Denis Napthine’s proposal to relax roadworthy checks will see more dangerous vehicles on our roads. Under the changes, some vehicles won’t receive a roadworthy check until they have travelled over 100,000 kilometres.
New cars are not immune to defects, and the current roadworthy system ensures all cars on our roads are safe, protecting Victorian motorists and their families.
Removing roadworthy requirements, increasing vehicle registration costs and cutting staff positions at VicRoads just shows Napthine’s contempt for the safety of Victorians.
LUKE DONNELLAN MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR ROAD SAFETY AND THE TAC
