The long-time public transport advocate - who was previously the outer east convener of the Public Transport Users Association and is Maroondah Council's Eastern Transport Coalition representative - gave up the car when he became mayor in December, putting the money back into the budget to benefit ratepayers.

Instead, he uses buses and trains and walks to his commitments across Maroondah. On March 16, for example, he caught the bus to open a new women's shelter at Heathmont and later walked to a meeting at the Ringwood Community Centre.

Cr Makin said he had decided to give up the mayoral car because he wanted to lead by example.

"I live within the Ringwood central activities district, an area where the council is encouraging sustainable forms of transport, such as public transport and walking.

"It would be hypocritical for the mayor to use the car when living in an area where we are encouraging sustainable transport."

Cr Makin said he planned his travel in advance to arrive at his appointments on time, but the lack of links between bus and train services could cause difficulties at times.

However, he said time spent travelling was sometimes a bonus.

"I tend to do a lot of council work on the move, whether it be phone calls or emails, while using public transport, so this time is quite efficiently used in terms of catching up with work.

"Certainly there is a benefit in terms of fitness and seeing Maroondah first-hand on a street-by-street basis.

"Public transport and walking also provides a great opportunity to speak to residents and community members and helps convey the role of being mayor and a councillor," he said.

Cr Makin said he hoped future mayors of Maroondah would follow in his footsteps by using public transport where they could.

The mayoral car was traded in and replaced with a travel allowance, which Cr Makin said had provided a saving.

"It also demonstrates that councils should consider flexibility when providing travel, rather than following the standard formula of providing a car for the mayor."