The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has hit out at the Federal Opposition’s transport policies, saying that Tony Abbot’s preoccupation with roads shows that ‘he simply does not understand public transport’.

“Comments today that an incoming Abbott Government would cut all urban rail funding should send shivers down the spine of commuters everywhere” ARA’s Chief Bryan Nye said.

“We need more investment in rail and other forms of public transport to keep our cities from grinding to a standstill over the next 20 years, not less”, Mr Nye went on to say.

“Clearly not everyone can afford an inner city car parking space, so how does Mr Abbott propose our growing population will get to work each and every day if he refuses to fund public transport?”

The comments come after Mr Abbott said that a Coalition Government would not assist in funding the Victorian Government’s planned Melbourne Metro rail project, saying that there is no precedent of Federal Government’s funding large-scale rail programs.