Mond

Tuesday, 24 October 2006

TRANSPORT BENEFITS FOR YOUNG & OLD

The Nationals Transport Policy will ensure young people and senior citizens are able to more easily get to work, attend medical appointments and social activities according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “The age of getting the first licence will be reduced to 17. Strict first year licence conditions and extensive pre licence driver training and education will encourage responsible, safe driving by young drivers who will relish their increased mobility.

“Older drivers will benefit from The Nationals Transport Policy to abolish the $84 vehicle registration charge for pensioners.

“People reliant on taxis will welcome the doubling of the existing caps to $60 per trip and $2,000 per year.

Dr Sykes continued, “The clearance of dangerous roadside vegetation will be made easier thus stopping the proliferation of the expensive Trees close to road signs which state the obvious and do nothing to improve the safety of drivers.

The Nationals Transport Policy also calls for simplification of the 40kph school zones with the introduction of flashing signs at all school crossings.

Country rail travellers will appreciate halving of V/Line passenger train and bus fares and safety improvements to the hundreds of country rail crossings will save lives.

Dr Sykes also said that The Nationals Transport Policy calls for committing $220 million to country roads over the next four years to relieve the burden on financially strapped country councils and reduce the increases in rates.

Dr Sykes concluded, “It is time that country people are given their fair share of the $100 million per day tax income of the Victorian Government. The Nationals Transport Policy seeks to do this and as a result encourage young people to choose to stay in country Victoria and older people to be able to live independently for longer because of improved public transport services.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989