North-Eastern Metropolitan Region
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:47): (1518) My question today is to the Minister for Transport Infrastructure, and it relates to the eastern busway, which will run from Doncaster Road in my electorate through to Hoddle Street. I will start by saying that I am pleased to have more public transport in my region. I would have preferred a train line to be running along the Eastern Freeway, but a dedicated busway is a good start. What I am concerned about is the safety of the bus drivers and passengers when using this busway, which looks to be two single lanes right next to each other in opposing directions without any sort of space or barrier between the passing buses. These buses will be passing each other at speeds of up to 100 k’s an hour. We know that bus drivers have to stick to strict timetables. I and others in the community are concerned that there is not enough space on the busway for the safe passing of buses, and this poses a safety risk. Minister, can you advise the house what is being done to ensure that there is sufficient separation between two high-speed passing bus lanes on the new eastern busway?