Hume Council is calling on the state and federal government to fund new rapid bus services on dedicated bus only lanes and new train stations to help improve public transport in the municipality.

Mayor Councillor Ros Spence stressed the importance of quality bus routes at the launch of the Hume Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy (HILATS).

“Council is committed to improving transport options for Hume residents, workers and visitors,” Cr Spence said.

“We must work with our transport partners to create faster, more frequent, more affordable and safer public transport.”

HILATS is designed to tackle a range of transport challenges, including reducing Hume Council’s carbon pollution; ensuring transport is affordable despite increasing oil prices; ensuring transport is accessible and helping to create healthy active communities.

Hume will advocate to the state and federal government for significant improvements in several public transport areas including: ‘Bus Rapid Transit’ on dedicated bus only lanes along Aitken Boulevard; new train stations at Jacksons Hill, Lockerbie and Campbellfield; redevelopment of Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and Upfield Stations an upgraded bus service between Mickleham Rd and Roxburgh Park Station; increased frequency of bus and train services and extensions of hours of service; new bus services to service areas currently poorly served by public transport and reviewing public transport fares.

Some key road and freight projects Hume will advocating for include: the Bulla By-pass; duplication of Somerton Rd; upgrades to Sunbury Rd, Craigieburn Rd and Mickleham Rd and establishing an intermodal freight hub to allow more freight to be efficiently carried by rail.

John Wilkinson and Barbara McLure compile this newsletter which is delivered electronically to key people and decision makers across the north of Melbourne and beyond.

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