With the state election four months away, Maribyrnong council is calling on the state government to commit to a direct tram connection between Footscray and the Melbourne CBD.
The council has unanimously voted to seek the support of Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle in calling on the government to conduct a feasibility study into extending the number 82 tram line along either Dynon or Footscray roads.
A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said last week it backed the Dynon Road option.
Estimates on the cost of a new link range from $80 million to $100 million.
Stony Creek ward councillor Catherine Cumming said she hoped both Labor and the Coalition would support the concept as part of their election campaigns.
“Hopefully, both parties see this as part of their transport solution for Footscray,” she said. “It’s not a big ask. The community wants it and it makes a lot of sense.”
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said that as well as bridging Footscray, Melbourne CBD and the rapidly expanding Docklands, a fully linked tram service would take 1800 cars an hour off local roads.
“It would bring visitors from Docklands and the CBD into Footscray. That’s good for local business and jobs,” she said.
“The Greens have been consistently strong advocates for better public transport and reducing traffic congestion … this proposal is great for the inner west.”
Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles said that despite Melbourne being home to one of the world’s largest tram networks, the smallest section of this network was in the west.
A spokeswoman for Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said Footscray was already well serviced by public transport with trains into the CBD that connect with tram services to the Docklands.
“Bus routes 216, 219 and 220 from Footscray station also connect with tram services to Docklands in the CBD,” she said. “Public transport from Footscray to the city and Docklands will be further improved with the completion of the Regional Rail Link.”
