RUMOUR CONFIRMED: How Victoria’s transport overhaul broke on The Rumour File

FIRST on the RUMOUR FILE

The Premier has promised jobs won’t be lost in a merger between VicRoads and PTV.

Daniel Andrews held a press conference at Reservoir aimed at talking up the government’s level crossing removals, but the focus quickly moved to the merger after it all unfolded on 3AW Breakfast this morning.

Ross Stevenson revealed on the Rumour File that VicRoads bosses were told yesterday that the department was set to be “merged with Public Transport Victoria”.

Click PLAY to hear his rumour

Adding fuel to speculation, Mr Andrews and Public Transport minister Jacinta Allen booked a press conference for 10am.

PTV chief executive Jeroen Weimar appeared on 3AW Breakfast a short time later to discuss new measures being tested at Melbourne train stations to stop tardy travellers clogging up platforms.

Ross started that interview by asking what he knew of rumours that VicRoads and PTV are set to merge.

“I’ve got no announcement to make on that this morning,” he responded.

“What I can say is … we’ve got thousands of people across VicRoads and PTV working very hard to keep everybody moving this morning and every day.”

Click PLAY to hear the full exchange

The end of VicRoads, PTV: Neil Mitchell’s inside word on Victoria’s transport merger