Under the plan, there will be a long-term boost in trains, trams, buses and road and rail infrastructure to unclog Melbourne's congested transport networks.

But a lack of major projects in Monash and Melbourne's outer east disappointed public transport experts and user groups.

The major Monash-specific initiatives were re-heated promises for two orbital SmartBus links in Warrigal and Springvale roads - promises that were first made in the State Government's 2006 Meeting Our Transport Challenges report.

Plans announced in 2006 for the triplication of the Dandenong-Caulfield rail section appear to have been shelved.

Also, no timetable has been given for the proposed Caulfield-CBD underground rail tunnel, mooted by Sir Rod Eddington this year.

Mr Wells was "gobsmacked" that Monash missed out on major projects in the plan, including a feasibility study for a Huntingdale-Rowville rail link.

"Labor promised this in 1999 and we were certain that it was going to be announced in this plan. Once again the eastern and outer-eastern suburbs have been left high and dry."

Eastern Transport Coalition chairman Mick Van de Vreede, who had hoped the underground rail tunnel would be the first step towards building the Rowville link, was also disappointed.

"It's a transport plan that is well informed in relation to the west, but in my view ill-informed in relation to the east.

"The Government seems to be of the opinion that if you're already developed, buses are the answer. Well out here, traffic congestion is abysmal and people need serious public transport choice."

Monash University public transport chairman Graham Currie said not

dealing with the rail capacity issue in the eastern suburbs was a "major flaw".

RMIT University planning and environment senior lecturer Paul Mees said the plan was nothing more than "a media release with photographs".

"All those projects like Doncaster, Monash and Rowville have been put off forever. It seems to me it is a slap in the face for the growth corridors of Melbourne, at least on the eastern side of the city."

Mt Waverley MP Maxine Morand said bus users would share the benefit of a $290million SmartBus expansion. Monash commuters would also benefit from plans for 70 new trains, 50 extra transit safety police, additional rail staff, more bus services, improved connectivity of outer-suburban roads and a "significant" investment in bike paths.