NEWS
VIC
Vic’s roads, transport departments merged
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But a more integrated platform is hoped to help with one of the biggest development programs in Australia’s history, with projects like the North East Link, the M80 Ring Road, Melbourne Airport Rail, the Metro Tunnel, new rollingstock and more all coming under one banner. “[The change] will allow us to respond much faster and give people the information they need to make the best travel choices PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: RAIL GALLERY
VICTORIA KICKED OFF THE NEW financial year by merging its VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria and Department of Transport entities into a single department. The move is slated to help manage disruptions to the transport network during Victoria’s $57 billion ‘big build’ program of transport infrastructure projects. The change will mean a single department will be in charge of suburban road upgrades and the state’s complex train and freeway networks. With the changeover expected to take months, PTV and VicRoads’ websites will remain unchanged for now. VicRoads will continue provide vehicle registration and licensing services, and to operate 40 customer service centres across the state. Regional Roads Victoria will remain as an arm of the new department.
to get where they need to go sooner,” the government said on July 1. “By 2050, there will be 38 million trips taken every day in Victoria. We are planning for this by creating a properly integrated transport department – in step with other global cities. Our focus is on making it easier for Victorians to move around the state and stay connected to jobs and each other, whatever way you travel.” The state government says the combination will help it deliver a huge pipeline of transport projects.
