"PUBLIC TRANSPORT VICTORIA REGIONAL NETWORK DEVELOPMENT PLAN GIPPSLAND REGION COMMUNITY CONSULTATION FORUMS: WHAT YOU TOLD US" Thanks to every supporter so far as we have already passed the 1,500 signature mark. Public Transport Victoria has released a summary of workshops held regarding improving transport in Gippsland from June 23 until July 16. More than 200 people attended the Gippsland workshops and more than 2800 individual comments were received from this process alone. Download a copy of the Gippsland Conversation Summary to see what people told Public Transport Victoria what was most important to them in planning for public transport over the next 20 years. Feedback is still open until the 11th of September, 2015. The next step for the South and West Gippsland Transport Group will be to continue negotiations with the South Eastern municipalities, Rail, Tram & Bus Union and Public Transport Victoria. Since the South Gippsland Shire Council have acknowledged that the 'Return of Rail' is a priority project for the region, the South and West Gippsland Transport Group will work towards initiating the group's revised integrated transport plan into a proposal, which will justify a case and need for rail freight and passenger services to be reintroduced along the South Gippsland railway line as far as Leongatha. The Rail, Tram & Bus Union have maintained their support towards our group's ambitions and vision for South Gippsland and will also assist us with this process. Regular scheduled meetings with Public Transport Victoria on fortnightly and monthly occasions are still taking place and these have been important in the development of a transport plan for South Gippsland that incorporates both rail and road forms of transportation. The Public Transport Victoria Regional Network Development Plan Leongatha Community Workshop that took place at the South Gippsland Shire Council Chambers on Thursday the 16th of July, 2015, was a great success and there was clear support and strong calls for improvements in public transport for the region. The Key Topic of Discussion for Leongatha was, "Providing more reliability and improving the customer experience". While Wonthaggi's Key Topic of Discussion was, "Improving bus shelter facilities and providing faster journey times to Melbourne". The issue that was expected to get a mention and in the end featured prominently was that, "South Gippsland participants emphasised their desire for reinstatement of rail services, with short term request for express coaches instead of stopping services to Melbourne". Other matters raised during the Community Consultations at both Leongatha and Wonthaggi are listed below. "Overcrowding, particularly on evening trips from Melbourne to Gippsland, was commonly raised, with requests for more frequent rail services and extra carriages". "Several Gippsland participants said better facilities for bikes are needed, especially on buses". "We need an express coach from Wonthaggi to Southern Cross". "The need for more frequent buses between regional centres and smaller towns that don't need to be traditional bus services but could be smaller, flexible services to meet local needs". "Bus and rail services don't coordinate well, with earlier and later services need and some were not made because of late-running arrival". "More tracks are needed in the Metropolitan area of Melbourne and single track sections of the Gippsland line. Additional tracks were also seen by some as a way of enabling more frequent rail services". 'Gippsland region: what you told us': https://getinvolved.ptv.vic.gov.au/regional-network-development-plan/news_feed/gippsland-region-what-you-told-us Continue your support by encouraging family, friends and colleagues to sign our petition on Change.org and join our campaign by getting involved on our Facebook page, 'Victorian Government: Return The Leongatha Pass/South Gippsland Train'. Message sent by Chris Cantlon, South and West Gippsland Transport Group Media Manager.