The Victorian Premier and Prime Minister recently announced that the Victorian and Australian Governments will each contribute $5 billion to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link project.

Once constructed, the Melbourne Airport Rail Link will connect the Metro Tunnel and the Pakenham/Cranbourne line to the airport – reducing travel times and overall travel costs for thousands of Victorians and tourists.

However, the big question is, who will fund the remaining project costs?

At an estimated cost of $13billion, at least $3billion remains unfunded.

Most Victorians have had first-hand experience with the astronomical car parking charges at Melbourne Airport. In addition, Transurban management of the tollway has seen tolls to the airport significantly increase over the past ten years.

There is a monopoly for those who are travelling to Victoria International Airport

Member for Eastern Metropolitan, Rod Barton believes that it is imperative that the Airport Rail Link creates competition between Melbourne Airports outrageous parking fees and Transurban’s tollway. This will benefit all Victorians, interstate and international travellers.

The benefits of Public Ownership are:

• That the priorities of all Victorians, such as low-cost and rail speeds, are upheld.
• That any revenue obtained directly covers railway management, improvements, or upgrades.
• Fairer ticket pricing.
• Increase customer satisfaction.

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that public ownership would reduce the need for the government to step in and subsidise international corporate giants managing public services in a financial downturn.’

Construction of the Melbourne Airport Link is set to begin in 2022.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan and Leader of the Transport Matters Party, Rod Barton MP:

‘The Melbourne Airport Rail link must remain in the hands of the Victorian/ Australian Government.’

‘If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that public ownership would reduce the need for the government to step in and subsidise international corporate giants managing public services in a financial downturn.’

ENDS