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Transport users, the environment and business would all win from a refocussing of federal transport policy, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today.

“High oil prices have bitten household budgets and retail spending, and inadequate transport alternatives have fuelled increasing congestion and greenhouse emissions,” said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “Federal funding for public transport would help more families to escape high petrol prices, and reduce transport emissions and congestion in the process.” Read the rest of this article »

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December 2006 edition articles:

• Batchelor gone: High hopes for new minister
• Transport highlighted on the hustings
• East and south eastern suburbs make their voices heard
• South Morang Rail – a victory of sorts
• Geelong branch report
• What Labor promised
• Connex driving away customers – weekend overcrowding

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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the appointment of Lynne Kosky as the Minister for Public Transport. PTUA president Daniel Bowen said Ms Kosky had demonstrated her abilities to achieve innovation and reform in her previous position as Minister for Education and Training.

“We hope that Ms Kosky will renew the government’s focus and commitment to its public transport goals including the target of 20% modal share by 2020″, said Mr Bowen.
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The Liberals’ failure to win South Barwon highlights the party’s lack of a broad vision for public transport throughout the electorate, the Public Transport Users Association said today. Read the rest of this article »

In the MX newspaper yesterday (24/11/2006), PTUA Vice-president Alex Makin was paraphrased as saying that the Hitachi trains should be replaced immediately.

This appears to have been a misunderstanding with the reporter. The PTUA has a long-held view that the Hitachi trains should not be scrapped. Rather, they should be upgraded with intercoms and security cameras and kept in service to help relieve overcrowding by providing extra services. At this point in time, expanding the train fleet is more important than replacing old (but serviceable) trains.

15/11/2006 — ‘Must try harder on transport’, says policy report card

An assessment of transport policies for this weekend’s state election has shown most parties lack the vision to adequately address congestion, high fuel prices and greenhouse emissions, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. Read the rest of this article »

Users release Geelong election policy scorecard

The two major political parties have scored poorly on election campaign commitments for Geelong’s public transport, in an analysis by the Public Transport Users Association’s Geelong Branch.

The election policy scorecard gives both Labor and Liberal a “D”, and indicates that only the Greens have tackled the issue of providing better public transport services throughout Geelong’s suburbs and neighbouring towns. Read the rest of this article »

Transport users have accused the State Government and private operators Connex and Yarra Trams of “gross mismanagement” over the purchase and disposal of rolling stock, and of “covering up” problems with the new trains and trams, that were common knowledge within the industry for up to four years. Read the rest of this article »

Joint media release from: Action for Public Transport (NSW), Queensland Conservation Council, People for Public Transport (SA), Public Transport Users Association (Vic), Sustainable Transport Coalition (WA).

The G20 group of finance ministers and central bankers meeting in Melbourne this week has been told to focus on cutting oil use rather than boosting production of the non-renewable fossil fuel.

“About 40% of global greenhouse emissions are from oil consumption,” said Victoria’s Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) President Daniel Bowen. “It would be grossly irresponsible to increase this pollution. The G20 members should instead improve public transport so that more motorists can leave their cars at home.” Read the rest of this article »

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Labor Party’s policy shift to construct the much-needed station at Coolaroo but has questioned the four year lag and $36 million pricetag. Read the rest of this article »