With the end of the fuel excise cut today, the Tasmanian Government could be doing more to help people choose other transport options, according to Bicycle Network.
“The return of the full fuel excise will have many people once again considering their transport options,” spokesperson Alison Hetherington said.
“While free bus and ferry travel has been a fantastic initiative, at the same time the government has restricted spending to help people walk and ride.
“The Tasmanian Better Active Transport grants were a big help to local councils trying to provide paths to give more people the option of walking and riding to get to school, shops, services and work. But funding for these grants finished in the last budget and hasn’t been renewed.
“The federal government is this week opening up a $500 million grant program to councils around the country to build more walking and riding infrastructure.
“But Tasmanian councils will be disadvantaged compared to some other states as there is no help from the state government to make up the 50% of funding they should be contributing.
“Not everyone can walk and ride to get where they’re going but many more of us would if there were safe paths and lanes.
“80% of roads are managed by local councils and they need help from the state government to provide the sort of paths and lanes that would get more of us moving.”
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.