Climate conscious students at Monash University have banded together calling for a stronger reliance on public transport in a bid to minimise congestion.

The group Productive Transport Monash led by Jock Dunlop has started a campaign to put public services back on the agenda to make the daily commute better for students. 

“We hope our campaign will help Monash students see public transport in a different light, and that they can see catching the train as an opportunity to not only commute in a greener way but also to save me by studying as they travel.”

Members of this group ran a World Car Free day on September 22, 2024. This involved students taking a train from Monash's Caulfield station to Frankston station return. 

They did this to illustrate the time that can be saved during the journey as passengers can catch up on university work instead of being stuck in traffic. 

“We are concerned that our peers are placing too great of a reliance on cars to get to their classes,” Productive Transport Monash said in a statement to MOJO News 

The group will be holding another event on Thursday October 10, 2024 for 'PTV to Uni day' at Monash Caulfield and participants can register to enter the draw to win a $20 Myki card.

This is why students like Ben Waller, from the Mornington Peninsula, argued that the shuttle bus was the best option for transport to Clayton for several reasons. 

“Pretty much every time I have to go in, I take the shuttle bus,” he said. 

“Money is definitely a big factor and also sometimes you get caught in traffic which cuts into your day.” 

This problem of congestion has resulted in the University increasing peak parking prices as previously reported by Mojo.

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