Travel blues not fair

By Kath Gannaway
A PARTICULAR group of Upper Yarra residents continue to be penalised by a fare system which, over the years, a succession of community, council and state government representatives have identified as anything but fair.
Martyrs Bus Service has been lobbying for more than 16 years to have the metropolitan fare extended to the end of its Warburton bus line – one fare for all! Passengers travelling from Lilydale to Allsops Road pay $4.80 full fare but once past Allsops Road are required to pay an additional ‘country fare’ of $2.
While there is a slight advantage for passengers travelling within the Warburton-Allsops Road stretch, who pay a full fare of $2 each way, the majority of passengers pay the two fares.
Speaking on the issue last year Martyrs Bus Service managing director Wayne Mountjoy told the Mail he was hoping the Victorian State Government’s Metropolitan Bus Service Review would see an end to the two fare system.
In fact it was not on the review agenda, and there is no indication, other than continuing pressure from lobby groups, that it is on the Government’s agenda.
The Mail would like to hear from our readers how they feel about the Allsops anomaly. Is it a fair fare?
Email Mara Sowden on mara.sowden@yvnews.com.au, or phone 5957 3705.
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