Hume City Council joins National Nightmare Commute Day on Thursday 4 April

On National Nightmare Commute Day, Hume City Council residents will join frustrated commuters from around the country to share their #nightmarecommute on social media.

National Nightmare Commute Day on Thursday 4 April 2019 gives a voice – and a hashtag – to the millions of Australians living in our fast-growing outer suburbs who are fed up with the hours wasted every day simply travelling to work or study.

Mayor of Hume City, Councillor Carly Moore said getting to work, home and school quickly is not a reality for many Hume residents.

“Some people in our growing suburbs can spend the equivalent of up to 28 days a year stuck in traffic,” Cr Moore said.

“The current frequency and choice of public transport options in some suburbs in Hume means that this is not a reliable commuting option in many circumstances. In other Hume suburbs, residents are still waiting on a public transport option where they live,” said Cr Moore.

“On Thursday 4 April, we’re asking Hume commuters to use #nightmarecommute across social media to share their stories of traffic jams, crowded public transport and wasted time getting to work or study.

“Too many of us have to travel up to two hours each way just to get to work. On average, we are wasting up to a whole month every year sitting in traffic instead of spending time with our family and friends.

“The common-sense solution is federal funding to ensure road infrastructure, transport and local jobs catch up with our rapidly growing outer suburbs.

“National Nightmare Commute Day is a chance to show politicians why we are fed up and need investment in better infrastructure now to cut the time that residents lose commuting.

“We’re calling for federal funds to duplicate Mickleham and Somerton Roads, build the Bulla Bypass, upgrade the Hume Freeway and redevelop Broadmeadows Railway Station.

Research conducted by the National Growth Areas Alliance, which convenes National Nightmare Commute Day, shows there is a $50 billion backlog in roads, rail and health facilities in fast-growing outer suburbs.

In the last five years, the fast-growing outer suburbs have accommodated 35 per cent of Australia’s population growth, but only received 13 per cent of federal government investment in infrastructure. With population growth at double the national rate, another 2.5 million people are expected to be living in Australia’s fast growing outer suburbs by 2031.

In previous years, #nightmarecommute trended during the morning rush hour. On Thursday 4 April, 2019, #nightmarecommute will again share the stories of the millions of people who live in the outer suburbs.

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