Labor’s hit the brakes on a pre-election promise to add an extra carriage on weekend Belair line train services to accommodate mountain bike riders travelling to the popular Mitcham Trail Network – in another blow to the increasingly popular recreation group.
Prior to the election Peter Malinauskas pledged to add a carriage that would be “dedicated to bikes”, but a local Labor MP has since claimed in the media that the commitment was for “a review” to “assess what sort of options might be available there”.
With the Christmas holiday period fast approaching the number of riders looking to use the service with their bikes is expected to surge, meaning they’ll be competing with other commuters for space.
This broken promise is another blow to the mountain biking community by the Malinauskas Labor Government after axing the $5.25 million upgrade of the Fox Creek Mountain Bike Park, which was funded by the former Liberal Government.
Labor is also putting trails at jeopardy in Glenthorne National Park with their unjustified plans for Southern Expressway on/off ramps at Majors Road.
Leader of the Opposition David Speirs said Labor shouldn’t be discouraging South Australians from getting active.
“This is yet another broken promise from Peter Malinauskas who was happy to say whatever it took to get elected in March but has been struggling to deliver ever since,” Mr Speirs said.
“Labor gave South Australians an iron clad commitment they would add an additional carriage on weekend Belair line train services if elected and now they’re back peddling.
“Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country and we should be doing everything we can to encourage more South Australians to get into the great outdoors, but all Labor seems to be doing is creating roadblocks.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vincent Tarzia said this is another example of Labor saying one thing before the election and changing their tune after.
“We know this train service is extremely popular with mountain bike riders, particularly the younger ones who can’t drive,” Mr Tarzia.
“The trains are going to be even busier when school holidays hit and we’d like to see a service that works for both commuters and riders.
“Labor told South Australian mountain bike riders they had the solution and promised them an additional carriage, but sadly it looks like they have been taken for a ride.”
