Parties trumpet their visions for Victoria as election nears

The Victorian coalition says a strong economy is the only way to build a better state, while Labor has vowed to restore services it accuses the government of cutting.

The pledges come as the government enters caretaker mode at 6pm this evening for the November 29 election.

Premier Denis Napthine has highlighted the issue of trust and the coalition's financial record of responsible budgeting.

Dr Napthine said it was only through strong financial management that the coalition had repaired the budget, putting Victoria in the strongest financial position of any state or territory.

"If you don't have a strong economy, you can't fix problems and you can't improve things," he said.

Labor brushed off the coalition's criticisms of its financial record, pledging its plan would put people first, and improve services it accuses the government of cutting.

"(We need) the best schools, the best hospitals, an ambulance service that works," Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said.

Both parties have pledged to cut traffic congestion although in different ways - the coalition through its East West project which Labor vows to dump and Labor through its plan to remove 50 of Melbourne's worst level crossings.