RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said by 2031 seven of the 10 most congested roads in the country will be in Perth, including the top four roads, and the cost of congestion is estimated to be more than $16 billion a year.
“Congestion continues to impact the community including the time it is taking away from their daily lives. Unless an integrated transport plan with adequate funding is implemented, this impact will only worsen,” he said.
“One of the concerns is the lack of long-term investment in the Traffic Congestion Management Program. The State needs increased investment in technology solutions to squeeze more out of existing infrastructure.”
While welcoming the introduction of No Fault Compulsory Third Party Insurance scheme, Mr Golsby said there needs to be further clarity about how the scheme will be administered.
“In addition to the cost of the No Fault Compulsory Third Party Insurance scheme, motorists will also feel the further increase of 2.45 per cent in registration fees in 2016/17,” he said.
“This is an average of 9.9 per cent a year over the past three years; three increases for motorists in three consecutive budgets.”
Public transport fees will also rise again resulting in an average increase of three per cent per year over the past three years. The Thornlie Rail Line Extension and the opportunity to increase funding for cycling infrastructure have also been missed.
Like last year, Perth Light Rail remains in the budget without the funding required to make the project a reality.
Road Safety in the Wheatbelt will receive $5 million dollars and this is a welcome first step to focus on road trauma in the community. RAC will now seek further detail about how and when the initiatives will be rolled out.
Expenditure from the Road Trauma Trust Account in 2016/17 is also forecast to increase, however $72 million remains unallocated at the end of this financial year.
The Budget indicates that the 'Regional Run Off' program only has funding for the next year and RAC understands the reduction in road maintenance funding will continue.
RAC today welcomed investment in tourism across Western Australia and funding for the RAC Rescue Helicopters which are managed by Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Read the full RAC’s State Budget Submission 16-17 online.
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