*/

Train users have hailed the start of free travel on metropolitan services and Geelong buses included in V/Line fares to Melbourne.

Read the rest of this article »

Train users who used a Monthly or longer ticket in February have until April 30th to claim compensation (a Daily ticket) from Connex for poor performance.

While the PTUA views the current compensation arrangements as inadequate, we do encourage eligible users to claim. A daily ticket may not be much compensation from continual disruptions on the train system, but it helps send the message to Connex and the government that train performance needs to be fixed.

Download the form from the Connex web site. (Includes details on what to do if you have already thrown away your ticket from February, or it was a Yearly which is still in use.)

WHERE’S THE DOUBLING IN SERVICE?
User group demands public control of public transport

The Public Transport Users Association has called for an efficient public agency to assume control of services and immediately double service levels, following the results of an analysis of privatisation by researchers at four Melbourne universities.

“The Auditor-General found last year that subsidies to the private operators have doubled since the last year of public ownership in 1999,” said PTUA secretary Tony Morton. “Now, the experts have done the sums and found that we’ve already spent $1.2 billion more to run a privatised system than to run a publicly-owned one. Yet all we passengers have seen for that extra $1.2 billion is more lateness, more cancellations and some new but substandard rolling stock. Why aren’t we getting double the level of services in 1999, given we’re paying double the subsidy?”

Read the rest of this article »

IT’S OFFICIAL: TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Alternatives essential for sustainable and liveable city

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has warned the Bracks government to heed the findings of a new draft report on congestion that recognises a lack of alternatives to driving is a major contributor to traffic congestion.

“This report shows that despite Melbourne having more roads and freeways per capita than comparable cities, traffic congestion is getting worse, because many people have no choice but to drive”, said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “Any government that is serious about managing congestion must ensure there are viable alternatives to car use. This means investing in a frequent, full-time public transport network covering the entire city.”
Read the rest of this article »